As local government chairmen in Rivers State counts down to their one days in office, chairman of Gokana local government area, Confidence Nyimaa Deko has given reasons why he is embarking on infrastructural development in the council.
Dekoo who spoke in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Lekien Mene Kanavura recalled that the state governor Nyesom Wike had advised chairmanship candidates contesting on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to lead the 23 local government councils on 20th March, 2021 that: ‘’Don’t call me Mr. Projects; go to your various local councils and become Mr. Projects yourselves.’’
Hee added: “Six months down the line, the chairman of Gokana LGA, Hon. Confidence Nyima Deko has taken the advice of Governor Wike seriously by embarking on developmental projects and upgrade of infrastructure in the council since he was sworn in on June 17th, 2021.
While lamenting the deplorable state of the council headquarters, the statement noted that, “since Deko took his oath of office, he has not settled in the council headquarters in Kpor, to do any work on account of the deplorable and uninhabitable conditions he met the place. He has since embarked on complete remodelling of the council building to make it 21st century workplace compliant. The work is still ongoing and will be completed in due course”.
The multi-purpose Gberesaakoo Hall, located within the precincts of the council HQ’s left to rot over the years is receiving his Midas touch too. It was embarrassing that Gokana Council had no suitable hall to host local government events and resorted to hiring halls to hold government related functions and shows. To restore the council’s respect and save it scarce resources are motivation for the Gokana current leadership under Confidence Deko to embark on complete remodelling of the hall.
On the reconstruction of the gatehouse, the statement noted, “the entrance to the seat of power anywhere in the world creates the first impression as to what visitors are or were to expect on a visit to such place. If you miss the chance to create the first impression, you may never get it again. This was unfortunately, the unenviable place Gokana council found itself in. The gate house and entrance to the sit of power was in shambles and was no better than a gate to a local bar in a remote village. Fortunately, all that is set to change as Confidence Deko is set to restore the pride of the council with a complete face-lift”.
The statement added: “the judiciary in the local government has suffered for far too long in silence. The court rooms of the customary and magistrate courts were no better than a goatery. The roofs were leaky and the magistrates hardly had tables to write on talk-less chairs to sit on. All that again is set to change as the current Gokana Council boss is given the infrastructure of the local judiciary a complete face-lift. The contractors are working assiduously to complete it in good time for the chairman’s 100 days in office celebration”.
“The Joint Task Force JTF, a security outfit, has not been left out of the scheme of things. These ones deserve a better deal as they work round the clock to ensure insecurity is reduced to its barest. To this extent, the current council leadership has built and or renovated their accommodation to a more comfortable and acceptable standard”.
“Sports are a binding force any day. The Gokana people love sports and especially football. They have been starved of a place to hone craft as the Gokana township stadium built by previous administration was left to rot away”.
“Confidence Deko realizing the power in sports has set machinery in motion to fix the stadium and bring back the infrastructure to its glory days. The overgrown weeds that took over the playing turf have been cut and experts are putting heads together with the leadership of council to get the stadium up and running again”.
Deko while addressing residents of the area at a recent town hall meetings said, “the council building is not suitable for work. As a government, we had to remodel it to bring it up to 21st century working environment compliant. Gokana is an enlightened society and we must be seen as such.”
On why he chose to renovate the JTF office the council boss said, “as a people who work round the clock to keep us safe, they deserve a better accommodation than what previously obtained. It is only when they are well rested they can think well and have a sound mind to carry out their duties. It’s for this reason we, as a government has embarked on this project. “
With all these and many more going on, Gokana people have branded Confidence Deko their own Mr. Projects.
The statement said people of the area are satisfied with the chairman’s performance especially with the restoration of electricity to the area.
