Ughelli North Council Boss Debunks “Misinformation Spearheaded” By Ovoke Akpobasa

Says It’s A Calculated Attempt To Tarnish His Reputation, Discredit His Administration

..Lists Achievements, Ongoing Projects

By Daniel Dafe

Chairman, Ughelli North Local Government Council, in Delta State, Olorogun (Barr.) Jaro Movudu Egbo, KSC, has reacted to what he described as cyber bullying, libelous and fake news spread by Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa and his cohorts.

Speaking to journalists on Monday during a press briefing at the council secretariat, Olorogun Egbo noted that “it has become imperative to address the recent wave of false, malicious, and unfounded allegations being circulated by Sahara Reporters and other online media platforms regarding the purported award of government contracts to Skyviaro Properties Development Company Limited.”

He added: “Skyviaro Properties Development Company Limited is not a registered contractor with the Local Government, has not been awarded any contract, and is not personally owned or operated by me. I resigned from any involvement with the said company, and there has been no breach of due process or statutory guidelines in any contract awards under my administration.”

Egbo opined that the deliberate spread of misinformation, spearheaded by Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa, an Executive Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, is a calculated attempt to tarnish his reputation, discredit his administration, and cast aspersions on the government of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori,” just as he said that “such reckless and defamatory actions are not only unbecoming of a public office holder but also pose a serious threat to public trust and governance.”

Furthermore, he called on relevant authorities “to immediately rein in Mr. Akpobasa and his collaborators to prevent further embarrassment to the government and unnecessary tension among the people.”

Adding: “Should this orchestrated smear campaign persist, I reserve the right to pursue legal action against him and his employer the Delta State Government in my personal capacity.”

Continuing, he said that he remains steadfast in his commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance,” while stating that “a thorough and objective review of this matter will expose the baseless nature of these allegations.”

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“Let it be known that I will not be deterred by falsehood and character assassination. My focus remains on delivering effective governance and upholding the principles of integrity and service to the people,” he averred.

Meanwhile, he said that he has no personal quarrels with the default chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the area, Mr Lucky Ofomukoro.

His words: “I want to put it on record that Mr. Lucky Ofomukoro is my personal friend and at no time did I have any quarrel or confrontation with him in a public gathering. The rumors peddling around is a calculated attempt to discredit my personality. We worked very closely while he held sway as the L.G.A Party Chairman and he was very supportive of my Administration.”

Speaking further, he disclosed that the Abovwe family has since debunked rumours of his suspension and are fully behind his administration.

The council boss said that his 10-month-old administration is committed to completing ongoing projects in the local government area.

These projects, he said include the renovation of his office and that of the vice chairman, leader of the house, S.L.G, H.P.M and the total renovation of the councilors’ offices and council secretariat.

According to him, he purchased eight (8) official vehicles for principal officers, stating that the construction of a children cottage hospital in Ughelli metrtopolis was also ongoing.

Olorogun Egbo said that his administration was also carrying out the construction of doctors and nurses quarters in the children hospital, construction of ultra-modern storey building secretariat, saying that plans were underway to build either a police station or a customary court in each of the seven kingdoms in the local government.

He said further that his administration has commenced the project of solar power electrification of the chairman’s office and a solar security light for the entire secretariat premises.

While he disclosed that he has already procured the first batch of 300 writing desk/ benches for primary and secondary schools in Ughelli North, he said that he has also purchased and installed a 500KVA transformer in Ekrabovwe Quarter.

Still reeling out his achievements, he said that he provided school uniforms, textbooks and writing materials to pupils in the area, constructed barriers at Otovwodo junction area, provided social amenities and sand filled the market venue for the relocated Otovwodo Market to Okugbe area in Otovwodo.

Earlier, Egbo who took the journalists on an inspection tour of some of the said projects, called for the support of the media, saying: “I am confident that with your support, we will continue to make Ughelli North a beacon of Excellence.”