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Ahead of Sunday’s anniversary of the creation of Delta State, the Iyase of Asaba, Chief Patrick Onyeobi, on Friday, said the State has recorded phenomenal growth and development to the admiration of Deltans since the state was created 32 years.

Chief Onyeobi who was a former Head of Service (HOS) and Secretary to the defunct Bendel State Government, disclosed this in an interview with journalists at his residence in Asaba while speaking on the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the state.

He maintained that the agitation for the creation of the state 32 years ago was not a mistake, stressing that it (Delta State) had grown in leaps and bounds in terms of socio-economic, infrastructural and human capital development.

According to him, successive administrations in the state had played their roles in contributing to the growth and development of the state, adding that Deltans have reason to celebrate the 32nd anniversary of the state.

“We have every cause to thank God for the creation of the state 32 years ago. Mistakes have been made along the way but we have great cause to celebrate because of the growth we have recorded as a state.

“Deltans have witnessed monumental development in the state in the areas of education, road infrastructure, human capital development and other critical sectors of the state economy.

“For instance, in the area of education, we now have four state universities and other tertiary institutions of learning which were made possible by the creation of the state.

“We have learnt from experience; we have peace and from peace, remarkable developments have come to the state. We did not make a mistake for agitating for the creation of the state,” Chief Onyeobi said.

While reiterating that much had been achieved in the state for the past 32 years, the Iyase of Asaba disclosed that Asaba, the state capital, has become the fastest growing state capital in the country.

He harped on the need for the state government to harness its potentials with a view to strengthening its operational efficiency so as to stimulate sustainable development in the state.

“Look at the River Niger, it is grossly under-utilised. It is one of the greatest assets of the country but it is grossly under-utilised. If well utilised, it could be turned into a tourist hub that would generate income for the state and the country at large,” Chief Onyeobi said.

He expressed hope that Deltans would witness more development in the M.O.R.E. Agenda of the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration in the state, even as he urged Deltans to continue to promote peace and unity in the state.

“Emphasis should be on unity as it was not by accident that God put us together as a state. One of our greatest achievements is that we have learnt to live in peace.

Our leaders should continue to preach the gospel of peace. There is much to be done and much has been done. The problem of insecurity and hunger should be tackled. The road to the future is always under construction,” he added.