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The governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, revealed that his administration had awarded the contract to build six classroom blocks and a health centre, fulfilling his promise to rebuild the ancestral home of the Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government. This was after the Nigerian army destroyed the community in March 2024, following the killing of 17 soldiers by unknown attackers.
He announced the development during a meeting with the leadership of the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers and the Urhobo Progress Union at Government House, Asaba, on Aug. 8, 2024. He also disclosed that the displaced Okuama residents, currently sheltered at the Ewu-Okuama IDP Camp, would soon return home as peace has been restored in the area.
Recall that DUBAWA had earlier published an investigation exposing the destruction caused by the military despite their promise not to retaliate against the community and the governor’s initial promise to rebuild the community after months of displacement.
Mr Oborevwori’s gesture follows DUBAWA’s investigation and other reports by some media platforms that directed attention to the community.
The governor revealed that the contracts were awarded to Okuama indigenes, reaffirming his commitment to the community.
He said, “We are doing our best to ensure peace returns to that place. We established the IDP camp and awarded the contracts for the health centre and six classroom blocks for primary and secondary schools to be built. The contracts were even awarded to Okuama indigenes.”
He also thanked the traditional rulers and the Urhobo Progress Union for their ongoing support, particularly for visiting the IDP camp and providing relief materials. He assured the leaders of Okuama’s imminent homecoming before urging them to continue their cooperation with security agencies to maintain peace. “We need information to arrest this situation, and that is where you come in. You are to help security agencies by giving them information.”
Reconstruction efforts are expected to begin shortly with the contracts awarded to local contractors from Okuama, paving the way for residents to return to their rebuilt homes and infrastructure.
