Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has met with the leadership of Ugborode community for the effective commencement of work at the multi-billion dollars Gas Revolution Industrial Park (GRIP) project.

Addressing a cross section of journalists in Warri yesterday after the state security council meeting, Governor Okowa observed that though, Ugborode community in Warri South West local government area of Delta State was peaceful, there was the need to sensitise them to build on the existing peace as construction works would commence in the multi-billion dollars project within the next couple of weeks.

According to the governor, “Today, we met with Ugborodo community on the need for peace, though there is no crisis in that area but we want peace for the commencement of the gas city project which we believe will take off within the next few weeks.”

It could be recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan on March 26, 2015, performed the ground breaking ceremony of the more than $16 billion GRIP, with an assurance that the project would create more than four million jobs.

Also, Governor Okowa disclosed that at the meeting, representatives of Ogbe-Ijaw and Aladja communities were asked to cooperate with the committee set up by his administration to proffer lasting solutions to the dispute that has rocked both communities over the years.

“You know, we need peaceful environment for development to take place, it is important to enable investors to carry out their activities freely,” the governor said.

The state’s deputy governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, commissioner of police and other heads of security operatives in the state attended the meeting which took place at the Government House annex, Warri.