Niger Delta
Asaba Mechanic Village, Ogbeogono Market Annex ‘ll Create Jobs, Revenue –Investors
The Private Developers of the Mechanic Village and that of the Ogbeogono Market Annex in Asaba have assured that the projects would be opened for public use soon.
The investors gave the assurance on Friday, when the team from the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA) visited the projects sites to ascertain level of progress made in Asaba.
The projects, they said, had the capacity to create lots of jobs and generate huge Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for government.
According to the Managing Director, Real Homes Property Development Company limited, Chima Ofoma, the developer of Asaba Auto Mechanic Village, the project is ready for inauguration.
He lauded Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for partnering with the company and for subsidising the cost of acquiring the lock up spare parts stores by 30 per cent and the mechanics workshops by 20 per cent to make it affordable to the people.
Ofoma said the motivation to build the project in Asaba was occasioned by the daily stress vehicle owners go through in Onitsha to get spare parts.
“What we have here is a modern mechanic village and auto spare parts, a one stop shop where you can get all the spare parts both old and new.
“And, at the other side, we have a hi-tec mechanics workshop and at the rear, we have the low key service area.
“As you can see, the bank, police post, fire service station, clinic, everything that you will need is here and ready for take off.
“It is a public private partnership (PPP) initiative, government equity is the land while we developed the property.
“We want to appreciate the DIDA Managing Director, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru and the Chairman, Mr Paul Nmah for their support that got the approval of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa that gave us a smooth ride.
“As you can see, the project is ready for inauguration with 704 lock up shops and 76 Mechanic workshops, we are also planing another 208 lock up shops for lower mechanics.
“All we are asking is that the governor should make it possible for all the scattered mechanics and auto parts dealers in Asaba capital territory to be assembled in this place,” Ofoma said.
On his part, Chief Emeka Okoye, Site Manager, Jamlor Nigeria Limited, the developer of the Ogbeogono Market Annex, Asaba, said the peace in the state was the motivator.
Chief Emeka Okoye, Site Manager, Jamlor Nigeria Limited (2L), the developer of the Ogbeogono Market Annex, Asaba with the team from Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA) on Friday
Okoye said the project was 85 per complete and efforts were on to get it ready soon.
“We are happy with what the governor is doing and as you can see, the movement is towards Asaba, and this shops would create lots of opportunity for divers sets of people and we also create space for the very low traders to also trade their wears.
The DIDA Senior Investment Analysts, Mr Peter Okolie, thanked the investors for their commitment to supporting the state government’s agenda of “Finishing Strong and Prosperity for all Deltans”
He noted that the Agency’s Managing Director, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru and the Chairman, Mr Paul Nmah had made efforts to located the investors and created the enabling environment through government policies for them to thrive.
“These projects came in this administration, we don’t actually have money to build but the investors that we have been able to attract are leaving up to expectations.
“The mechanic village has been completed and ready for inauguration. On the Ogbeogono annex, the project is done in phases, and the projects have made provisions for all categories of people in line with the government agenda.
“But the most important thing is that our investors are finding Delta very peaceful and secured for all businesses to operate and this is commendable,” Okolie said.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.