By Chris Eriyamremu, Warri
Environmental and human rights Activist, Chief Sheriff Mulade has appealed to Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to facilitate the establishment of the proposed Coastal Areas Development Agency (CADA) to bring development to the riverine communities in the state.
The special interventionist agency when established, according to Mulade, is aimed to ensure rapid growth and development in the riverine communities, and also give the people sense of belonging.
The Gbaramatu Kingdom chief, in a statement obtained by New National Star, on Thursday, appealed to Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to give the CADA Bill speedy consideration and passage.
” The CADA bill, is aimed and with a view to bringing development closer to the people and by so doing, the Governor and State Assembly members would write their names in gold for posterity.
” The appeal for the consideration and passage of CADA Bill was reforwarded via a letter which was acknowledged as received by the Delta State Government, and a copy was also received by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, on the 22nd of January, 2020.
Mulade expressed displeasure that the Bill has not been given any consideration despite being in line with the demands by Deltans in the coastal communities who are seeking a legislation to establish the agency that will be saddled with the primary mandate to fast track development of coastal communities in the State.
“It will be unfair to the peace-loving people of riverine communities if they are continuously marginalized through deprived development,” Chief Mulade said, adding that “A continuous neglect of the CADA Bill by relevant parties is making the coastal communities feel subjugated rather than having a sense of ownership to the common purse. It may just be poor to make them remain in the stratum of a deprived and abandoned people.
“The Government of the moment can only be noted to have done very well if the coastal communities have this inclusiveness through the establishment of the CADA agency.
“I want to strongly and sincerely appeal to the current administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chief Sheriff Oborevwori to urgently consider this people-oriented request and do the needful as we approach the 2023 General Election.”