The Mayor of Urhobo land, and business mogul, Eshanakpe Israel a.k.a Akpodoro, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the latest approval for the establishment of a 10,000 barrels/day refinery in Ughievwen, in Imode, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria saying the impact of such establishment will have a far-reaching effect on the economic life of the people.
The head of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown, who spoke from the comfort of his Mayoral Palace in Ughelli over the weekend, noted that the President has demonstrated visionary leadership, and love for the people of Urhobo nation.
He added that there’s no gainsaying the fact that the new refinery when established will enhance the living standard of the Urhobo youths particularly the youth population in the immediate community and its environs.
The Mayor who doubles as the national coordinator of the Urhobo Youth Forum for Change, UYFC said the Imode refinery is a milestone achievement by the current administration saying the value chain of such establishment includes changing the tide of youth unemployment, capacity building, and enhanced the domestic economy of the agrarian community.
Akpodoro said, this has been his desire over the years adding that, his advocacy has been that of developing the people by industrialising Urhobo nation as he called on the President to also revamp the Delta Steel Company, DSC, Aladja to compliment the benefits of the would-be refineries when it becomes operational.
With increasing population density in the Delta Central Senatorial district of the state, the Mayor argued that Urhobo nation is the third largest homogenous entity in the country and with huge electoral value. Therefore, the district deserves more industries to favourably engage the youths of the area just as he noted that the Imode refinery will remove idle youths from the street and subsequently stem the tide of crimes and criminalities.
The President, he noted, has justified the confidence reposed in him and the huge votes cast for him by the people at the February 25, 2023 Presidential election. He expressed confidence that more than 2023 votes, come 2027, Urhobo nation will cast their ballots for the President at the polls.
The vociferous modern leader of Urhobo nation called on the youths of the refinary’s host community should be peaceful in the process of establishing the refinery and recruiting workers as he called on them to build their skills preparatory for massive employment into the facility stressing that Professors don’t work in refineries but skilled and trades men and women.
Akpodoro seeks the cooperation of critical stakeholders to make the establishment of the refinery a success, maintaining that only in a peaceful environment that infrastructure and human development thrive as he congratulated the Urhobo traditional institution for the approval of the operating licence for the refinery.
“The approval of the operating licence for the Imode refinery speaks volume of the desire of Mr. President bring positive change and renew the hope of the people of Urhoboland. He has justified the massive votes given to him by the electorates in Urhoboland.
“To us, the approval of the refinery is a dream come true. My advocacy has always been that the federal government establish refineries in Urhoboland being one the richest land in oil and gas resources in the country. We owe it a duty to support President Tinubu more than ever before to achieve sustainable development in a renewed hope for the people. In 2027, the President won’t need to campaign here because we shall happily takeover his campaign when the time comes. On behalf of the entire Urhobo people worldwide, I am hugely indebted to the President in gratitude as we call on him to revamp the DSC, Aladja as he’s doing in Ajaokuta.” The Mayor Stated.
