Delta State Government defends arrest of man who bathed on flooded road to protest poor Infrastructure

October 08, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Delta State Government has justified the arrest of Uge Elo Kenneth, who bathed on a flooded road in Sapele to draw attention to the deplorable state of Shell Road.

The road, frequently flooded, has become a safety concern for residents.

In a viral video, Kenneth criticized former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and current Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, as well as the Sapele Local Government Area chairman, for failing to address the issue.

Kenneth’s protest resonated with many on social media, but the state Government responded by labeling his actions “suicidal.” Director General of the Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Fred Latimore, condemned Kenneth’s actions, citing potential health risks associated with bathing in contaminated water, including skin irritation, eye and ear infections.

The arrest has sparked public outcry, with many questioning why the government prioritized silencing Kenneth over addressing the underlying infrastructure problem. Despite the controversy, no immediate steps have been taken to repair the road.

“Government is investing heavily on quality healthcare for our people, and it is very unfair for one of our brothers to bath in dirty road water without considering the possible health hazards. He must never do that again. His subsequent arrest was never at the instance of the state governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

“The law enforcement agents may have interpreted the actions of the young man to mean suicide attempt which is against the Law. Governor Oborevwori is currently paying adequate attention to roads in Sapele local government area, and the other 24 local government areas in the state.

“The MORE Agenda implementation will go round the three senatorial districts. Government cannot handle all the dilapidated or bad roads at the same time. They shall be rehabilitated and reconstructed along with other categories of infrastructure in phases across the state. Governor Oborevwori is working round the clock to Advance Delta beyond 2027 and it is only fair to join hands with him to bring unprecedented development to our dear State”, Latimore stated.

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who assumed office on May 29, 2023, has been urged to focus on addressing the state’s infrastructure challenges

The Delta State Government’s response to Kenneth’s protest has raised concerns about freedom of expression and the government’s commitment to addressing citizen concerns.