Community honours SEZ boss for building court, empowering folks - Vanguard News

Dr Akpovie (L) watch as Chief Ighoyota Amori, Chief Adviser to Delta state governor (R) presents one of the electric motorbike to a beneficiary (M) on the occasion.

ASABA — OGHAREKI Traditional Council (Oguedion) has honoured the Managing Director of the Delta Special Economic Zone Management Company, Dr. Godwin Akpovie, for his contributions to community development.

Akpovie, who oversees the Koko and Kwale Free Trade Zones, was honoured as a distinguished son and development advocate committed to the welfare of the people of Oghareki, Ethiope West Local Government Area, Delta State.

Led by High Chief Andrew Arikeri, the Council said Akpovie, from Okuokpere Village, Okurode/Okuokpere Uneughwa, Oghareki, in Oghara Kingdom, had distinguished himself as a builder of institutions and an advocate of community development.

The Council cited his personal construction of the Judiciary Court along Ogomore Road, Oghareki; scholarships for indigent students; facilitation of employment for sons and daughters of Oghara Kingdom and Ethiope West; and sustained monthly financial assistance to numerous individuals.

In response, Akpovie unveiled additional livelihood support for the people, saying the honour was a recognition of his service to his community.“It is all about making life meaningful and comfortable for Oghareki,” he said.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for entrusting him and other Oghara Kingdom indigenes with public offices, which, he said, had enhanced their capacity to further champion community development in the area.

“I thank the Governor for remembering Oghareki. Since 1999, he is the first governor that knows that there is a place called Oghareki. Not that others do not know there is Oghareki, but it’s not important enough for them,” Akpovie said.

Unveiling fresh livelihood support initiatives, Akpovie said, “We are going to give out electric motorcycles. We have 100 that were ordered, but here now we have 60; the other 40 are still coming.”

“The unique value with this electric bike is that it doesn’t use fuel, it doesn’t pollute the air, it doesn’t make noise. You only need to charge it for two hours and it is fully charged. It goes for 45 kilometres before it runs out,” he explained.

“If you are running it within your locality, after you charge it, you can run it for the next two to three days before you recharge it. To charge, it is the same power you use to charge your phone that you use to charge this thing. So, no money for fuel, no money for servicing,” he said.

On other interventions, Akpovie gave N200,000 each to 30 women leaders across the wards in the locality, while about 70 people received N100,000 each. He also distributed wrappers to 100 women.

“We discovered that some of our men are not conscious of their health. So, we are giving out blood pressure machines to measure BP every morning. I’m giving out over 100 of those to the men,” Akpovie said.

He assured the people of more interventions, saying, “We are going to do more before the election. The governor is going to do more before the election.”

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