Delta APC berates Okowa on proposed ‘Operation Delta Hawk’, says its political showmanship

By Ovasa Ogaga,

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Delta State chapter has berated the state governor, Dr Ifenayi Okowa on its proposed setting up of “Operation Delta Hawk” describing it as another political showmanship that will not yield any meaningful results.

The party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Sylvester Imonina, Esq., noted that while Deltans were excited over the news of the state the setting up of “Operation Delta Hawk”, to assist in combating heinous crimes in the State, and also check the growing threat from marauding bloodthirsty herdsmen, little did they know that it’s a mere talk without visible action.

The party stated further that the reprieve that Deltans sort after may be far from reality because as at today no legal framework that will give birth to such security outfits, “Operation Delta Hawk”,  is in place or currently before the State House of Assembly.

It added that Deltans need a responsive government that can take up concrete steps in protecting their lives and properties, stressing that Deltans deserve more than empty political promises.

The statement reads in part: “The business of Government is predicated on existing law, in order to have legal standing and teeth. Till date, no proposed Bill is before the Delta State House of Assembly for consideration in respect of “Operation Delta Hawk”.

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“A painstaking inquiry by APC shows that after the said political showmanship in the media, no concrete steps have been taken to bring same to reality! Most of those whose names were mentioned as members of the committee to come up with a blueprint on the best way to go, are yet to receive any message from the State Government.

“Going down memory lane, on or about the year 2014, a Bill was sent to the Delta State House of Assembly for consideration, on the establishment of Delta State Vigilante Group. The Bill was eventually passed, and led to the setting up and/ or giving of legal backing to Vigilantes in Delta State.

“In the said Vigilantes’ Law, provision was made for how members of the group should be funded. Unfortunately, members turned out to be more like “Almajiri” sent into the world to fend for themselves without support. Due to lack of commitment and funding from the State Government, most of them devised means of survival to wit; attaching themselves to members of the Nigerian Police and acting as tax collectors (collecting “mashing”), delving into matrimonial issues between husbands and wives, acting as debt Collectors, and doing other unsavoury things, outside their statutory mandate, ostensibly for their survival.

“Considering the dexterity with which most of the Vigilante members worked selflessly without monthly stipend/payment from Government, it is the belief of Delta APC that if there is an overhaul of the moribund Vigilantes, with support from the Government to strengthen them, they will give better results.

“If the Governor insists on adding extra economic burden on the State by establishing “Operation Delta Hawk”, APC, Delta State charges him to live up to the responsibilities attached to his office. This is no time for the usual political showmanship that PDP led Government in the State, is known for.