Jonathan’s hometown, like president, on steady rise

Today, Otuoke is wearing a new look. From the construction of new school buildings to hospitals and clinics, civic centres, churches, market and private residences as well as hotels to mention but a few, the village is a complete contrast to what it was. An elder in Otuoke village, Chief Felix Odomina, who spoke to […]

Today, Otuoke is wearing a new look. From the construction of new school buildings to hospitals and clinics, civic centres, churches, market and private residences as well as hotels to mention but a few, the village is a complete contrast to what it was. An elder in Otuoke village, Chief Felix Odomina, who spoke to Weekly Trust describes Jonathan as a humble personality. According to him, “I saw him grow up as a child. He followed his father to farm as a young boy and he developed very good character in his formative years.”

Summing up the transformation being witnessed in the community, Chief Odomina, 69, stated: “Jonathan has caused a very great change. I never dreamt that one day, our son would become a President and not even a native doctor would have made me believed such a prophecy.” President Jonathan had his primary education at St. Michaels Primary School, Oloibiri, a few kilometers from Otuoke, where oil was first discovered. He proceeded to Mater Dei High School, Imiringi in Bayelsa State, finishing in 1975.

Evidently, one way the Jonathan’s presidency has impacted on the lives of the people of Otuoke is the development of basic infrastructures. Road development and construction is one of the benefits the people have derived from the emergence of their son as President. The major road linking the community to its immediate environs has been developed to an acceptable standard. Internal walkways are constructed to form narrow street access for easy identification of family houses spread thinly across the land bounded by the river on either side. Before now, the roads were in deplorable condition.

Though availability of power and potable drinking water poses little challenge to the community at the moment, plans are underway to reverse the challenge. According to the community’s youth leader, Mr. Rapheal Ekio, some experts were in the village to take samples of the soil in the area with the hope of finding a lasting solution to their water problem. “Water is difficult to come by in this environment due to the nature of the terrain. There have been attempts to provide clean water in the past but the measures had always been temporary. But with what is on ground now, very soon we will have adequate supply of clean water,” he said.

But commenting on electricity supply to the village, an indigene, Mr. Anustine Emaelia appealed to the state government to put in more efforts towards ensuring that the community gets steady light. He said for now, most families depend on the use of generator because the state gas turbine and Power Holding Company of  Nigeria (PHCN) which the community relies on for power supply are epileptic.

Emaelia is not the only one in the community holding this view. Chief Odomima equally wants the president to actualize his plans of providing constant power and water supply to the presidential village. He said presently, the only source of drinking water for the people is the river which he agreed is not hygienic.

The solar energy-powered street lights that line the streets brighten every nook and cranny of the village at night, giving it a touch of serenity. Then the people of the once-sleepy community are eagerly awaiting the completion of the construction of housing estates which Weekly Trust gathered would accommodate staff and students of the newly-established federal university in the community.

Another sign of the impact the president is having on his village is the hospital currently under construction. The project, which was commenced during his tenure as governor of the state was abandoned when he assumed the office of Vice President.

For Ema Makedum, a 300-level student of Pharmacy at the University of Port Harcourt, Jonathan has done well. “If you have not been here in the last ten years, you will certainly lose your way due to the new look the community is wearing. There is development everywhere.”

Then with the establishment of a modern market, whose construction is about to commence, the president can be said to laying the foundation for the economic development of his village. When completed, it is expected to provide an alternative to the town hall where trading currently takes place.

On a more personal note, President Jonathan has commenced the face-lift of his ancestral home, demolishing his father’s house to give way to a new one which is still under construction. A modern church building is also being built to replace the old St. Stephen Anglican Church through which the president’s mother was said to have contributed immensely to, where the President also worships whenever he’s in town.

The Magels Resort, Otuoke, owned by Patience Jonathan, provides comfortable lodgings for guests and visitors to the village. The hotel also plays host to the president and his entourage whenever necessary.

Another visible landmark in the village is the Dame Patience Jonathan Square which was built by the Governor Timipre Slyva-led government. Commissioned for use on December 26, 2010, the civic centre serves as venue for functions and other social engagements as well as relaxation spot. To open up the village to other surrounding communities, a modern bridge has been constructed to link Ogbia town and its environs. It is worthy to note that Otuoke serves as the headquarters of Ogbia Central Development Area, the yet-to-be recognized local government Chaired by Mr. Andy Inugite.

But the people of Otuoke, who are predominantly farmers and fishermen, still lack access to public motor transportation despite the good road constructed in the village. The only means of public transport through which the people moves in or out of the village are commercial motor-cycles (Okada) which commutes people from Otuoke to Emeyal, a neighboring village from where they board taxis to Yenagoa, the state capital.

It would not be out of place to say the people of Otuoke have never had it so good. Another youth leader in the community, Spiff Paul, said Jonathan’s impact in the educational sector is unequalled. He recalled that the Corpers Lodge in the community was built during his tenure as governor adding that government presence in the area became noticeable following his rise to the position of power. He added that Jonathan is encouraging educational development in the community by awarding scholarships to indigenes.

The paramount ruler of the community, Obanema of Otuoke, Chief Lot Justine Ogiasa, however apologised to Weekly Trust for his inability to grant an interview after repeated visits to his palace which he attributed to series of meetings he had to attend to in his palace.

Truly, a new Otuoke is evolving and President Goodluck Jonathan can be said to be the architect of the transformation. It is no longer insignificant as the focus of the whole nation is on it each time the President visits, usually transmitted on national TV.