Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas has said his heart bleeds whenever he thinks about what Delta South is contributing in terms of crude oil production and the marginalization of the area by the Federal Government.
He lamented that despite the senatorial district being one of the largest producers of crude oil and gas in the country, successive federal administrations have shown little or no interest in the development of the area and the empowerment of the people.
The senator spoke on Tuesday at Emede, Isoko South LGA of Delta State, while delivering a keynote address during a Strategic Leadership Retreat organised for his legislative aides.
According to him, successive Federal Governments have been unfair to the district in terms of infrastructural and human capital development, and inclusiveness in governance.
“The district gives her all for this country, but successive governments have been largely unfair to us.
“Whenever I think about what Delta South is contributing in terms of crude oil production and look at the deprivation that our people are subjected to, my heart bleeds.
“There is hardly any presence of government in Delta South, and this is really alarming. The pollution we experience, the environmental degradation, the lack of infrastructural and human capital development, the little or no inclusivity in governance, etc, are all indicators showing how unfair governments have been to us for contributing so much,” Joel-Onowakpo said.
He, however, expressed confidence in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stating that the current administration will change the ugly narrative.
While inaugurating over 180 legislative aides that he appointed, Joel-Onowakpo said the office of a senator is officially entitled to only five aides but he decided to make over 180 appointments simply to accommodate all interests and to ensure that the people of Delta South get the best from his representation.
“This is a huge burden on me, but I have no option than to accommodate our people until government looks our way.”
He urged the legislative aides to make good use of the office to change their political fortune by working effectively to serve the people of Delta South.
Speaking on behalf of the aides, the Senior Legislative Aide, Raymos Guanah, appreciated Joel-Onowakpo for giving them the opportunity to serve.
The legislative aides promised to work assiduously to justify the confidence reposed in them by the senator, and also pledged to support him in his quest to attract development to Delta South senatorial district.