Zik Gbemre
It all started like a rumour, especially after the Delta State Capital Territory Agency Development Bill (DSCTA), was passed few weeks ago by the Delta State House of Assembly; that the Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, is planning to scrap the Delta State Government House Annex in Warri, as many believed that the said DSCTA Bill was meant to undermine the status of the existing Government House Annex and Warri – the commercial nerve centre of the State.
Though, the Delta State Governor has recently come out to dismiss such insinuations/rumours and fears regarding the status of the Government House Annex in Warri, which he said “will continue to function as it had always been under previous administrations,” and that the “functions of DSCTDA, among other, is to formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the State Capital territory,” however it appears the air has not been completely cleared in this regard. This is hinged on the fact that some stakeholders in the State are still of the mindset and calling for the scrapping of the Government House Annex Office in Warri.
Recently, an elder Statesman who is from Anioma LGA and Chieftain of the PDP in the State, Senator Francis Nwajei, has re-echoed the case for the scrapping of the Government House Annex in Warri, noting that “the constitution of the country never made provisions for two Capital Territories in a State.”
For a start, we wonder why should an elder statesman like Senator Nwajei would come out to make such statements and standpoint that is capable of heating up the Delta State polity. Let us remind Senator Nwajei and those who care to know, that a Government House Annex in a city like Warri, does not automatically connote that Warri is now also a State Capital like Asaba. As the word ‘Annex’ implies, the said Government House Annex in Warri is just an ‘extension’ of the Delta State Government House in Asaba – which is the actual State Capital as recognized by law. It does not mean that Delta State now has two State Capitals – this line of thought and argument does not hold any water and is not only laughable but also unjustifiable.
More importantly, the said Government House Annex in Warri is not new, is has been in existence since the creation of the State, and Warri has always been a city with ‘Governments’ presence.’ During the Bendel State (Benin-Delta) Province, the Asaba areas (of now Delta North), excluding Kwale, was formerly under the Benin Province. And even back then, whenever Government Officials (both from the Center and the Region) were visiting Benin – Bendel State, they usually visited Warri also. In other words, Warri has always had ‘Government presence’ before now. In fact, The Naval Base location that we have today in Warri, used to be a rallying point of gathering for Government Officials back in those days. So when Delta State was created, it was easy to have an official place for the State Government’s presence in Warri.
In looking at this issue, it imperative to understand the reason why things are the way they are for quite some time now. And that is the fact that the Government House Annex in Warri, is there “for administrative convenience” for the Delta State Government (both past and present) in addressing public issues, especially sensitive issues relating to the oil and gas sector of the State that usually needs ‘prompt’ responses from the relevant government authorities. Not only that, with Warri being a commercial nerve centre in Delta State, it becomes easier for the Delta State Government to address, not only issues relating to the oil and gas sector, but also issues relating to Security, especially on our Water ways. Most of these issues are easily treated by the State Government through its Annex Office in Warri. We do not expect Deltans from the riverine areas for instance, to travel all the way to Asaba the State Capital to meet the government officials for any issue that needs to be addressed. It will also not be wise for Deltans to be expected to travel to Asaba just to deliver hand-to-hand official letters that need the Governors attention. The Government House Annex makes all of this very convenient to be handled by the State government without any stress.
In other words, the importance of leaving the said Government House Annex in Warri, for the benefit of the both the Government and the people of the State, cannot be overemphasized. There are certain arrangements the government needs to sustain for its administrative convenience. When the NDDC was established some years back, its Head office was supposed to be located in Abuja, as the nation’s Capital Territory. But they figured if they did this, the purpose of setting up the NDDC will be defeated, so the NDDC Head Office was located in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, to bring the government institution closer to the Niger Delta people – for which it was set up in the first place.
So we do not see the reason why the Government House Annex in Warri should all of sudden be seen some, as an ‘obstacle’ that should be gotten rid off. But we forget the essence and reason for having the said Government’s Extension in Warri in the first place. Like we said; it is for administrative convenience. More so, the said Governemnt House Annex in Warri does not habour much government officials like we have in the State Capital Asaba. The only major Office we have there is just the Office of the Permanently Secretary to the Delta State Government Annex Office and other assisting officials.
The Government House Annex in Warri should not pose any threat to those who are today asking for it to be scrapped. From the tune of the elder statesman from Anioma, Senator Nwajei, we can deduce that perhaps, his statement is coming from the Anioma people and maybe a collective decision in this regard. However, we believe that if the Anioma people feel the need to be on their own and have a State, then they should ask for the creation of their own State and channel their request appropriately. Rather than making preposterous call for the scrapping of the Government House Annex in Warri in the name of the State having two State Capitals.
Zik Gbemre, JP
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC)
No.28, Opi Street, Ugboroke Layout, Effurun-Warri,
P.O. Box 2254, Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.
Tel: +2348026428271
+2348052106013
Website: www.ndpc-zik.org
