PRINCE VICTOR EFEIZOMOR writes on the strides of Governor Okowa of Delta State towards bringing prosperity to all Deltans.
Amidst cheers and
jubilation from the marmot crowd that attended the swearing –in ceremony at the
Cenotaph in Asaba, Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa told his
audience that, “ as a government, we are committed to the
building and consolidation of a state in which there
shall be more employment opportunities, a flourishing
agriculture and agribusiness sector , effective health and
educational systems, renewed urban infrastructure and
enhanced security and peace to bolster economic growth
and development”
Three months down the
line, even when expectations are high, hope has risen in the state
and governance is rekindled in various developmental policy initiatives so far
taken. To achieve the set goals, Okowa compressed his programmes into a
five point agenda which is encapsulated in the acronym SMART.
The SMART agenda means , Strategic Wealth
Creation Projects and Provision of Jobs for all Deltans, Meaningful
Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political and Social
Harmony, Agricultural Reforms and Accelerated
Industrialization, Relevant Health and Educational
Policies and Transformed Environment through Urban Renewal
As the administration consolidates amidst global
economic uncertainties, a lot have been achieved in terms of policy initiation,
realization and actualizing as contained in the state’s SMART
scheme.
Agriculture and Industrialization:
Having acknowledged that Delta state has tremendous
potentials in agriculture, Governor Okowa within the space of three
months set up six new schemes to grow the agro-industrial
sector of the economy , namely ; Youth Agricultural
Entrepreneurial Programme (YEGEP), Skill Training and
Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Production and Processing
Support Programme (PPSP), Tractorisation, Extension of
Micro credit and Agricultural Loans and Development of
Agro-industries.
The policy objectives of these programmes are aimed at
creating jobs and wealth, to diversify the economy, engage the youths in
productive enterprise, nurture entrepreneurs and leaders, promote communal
peace and security and develop database of employment and unemployed youths for
planning purposes.
Wealth Creation and Employment Generation
The job creation scheme has
since kicked off as no less than 600,000 youths from
different parts of the State have obtained application
forms for the skills , trade training programmes that
will take place in accredited skills acquisition centers and vocational
workshops across the state. Upon successful completion of the
training, participants will be assisted with a starter pack with which to start
a small scale enterprise under the strike supervision of the state government.
According to Governors Okowa, 6000 jobs will be created
in every six months in the state following this work plan on job creation
scheme, which translates to 48,000 jobs to be created in the next four
years of his administration.
In pursuance of this objective , Okowa had said , “I
shall engage the youth in farming by encouraging cluster farming, supporting
and promoting out-growers associations. Robust and focused agricultural
extension services will be put in place to support the farmers. Input provision,
mechanization and cooperative farming will be aggressively pursued… It is my
earnest desire to encourage and create the enabling environment for commercial
farming to drive through the private sector and public-private-partnership. I
will ensure the active participation of the Local Government Areas in the
development of agriculture, by this, the revenue of the state would have
improved.”
Peace and Security:
Acknowledging that no society can grow with peace and
security, Okowa has promised to take appropriate measures to sustain, increase,
and even introduce new measures to contain and tackle the sources which breed
and encourage insecurity. He has said enabling environment would be created for
local and foreign investors to come into the state.
To this end, since assumption of office, Okowa has been
holding consultation, with critical stakeholders and heads of security
agencies, like the State Commissioner of Police, Director State Security
Service (DSSS) the Army Navy, Nigerian Customs Service and Civil Defense
Chiefs. Okowa has also consulted with Traditional rulers , chiefs and
village heads on ways and means of ensuring that there was lasting peace in the
state.
Urban Renewal and Education
With one week of assumption of office,
Governor Okowa sent the Delta State Technical and
Vocational Education Board Bill , 2015, and Delta
State Capital Territory Development Agency
and the Governing Board Bill, 2015 to the Delta
State House of Assembly ( DTHA) for consideration and passage
. The two bills passed by the House and
signed into law by the governor were part of
the promises Governor Okowa made to Deltans in his
inaugural speech.
The two bills the governor forwarded
to the house were part of the strategic plans of hios
administration to actualize the SMART agenda of
properity for all Deltans . Like the DELTA State
Technical and Vocational Education Board Bill , 2015,
passed by the House , its policy is well conceived by the
present administration . The objective are aimed at
stimulating and encouraging pre-vocational and general
technical education in schools not only as a basis for
creating early technical awareness , but also to provide
suitable orientation for further education and
training in technology and provide direct practical
skills for earning a living.
Already, construction and renovations
works have commenced in Agbor, Sapale, and Ofagbe Technical Collages,
out of the existing six technical collages in the state. The aim is
to inculcate in the people of Delta the attitude of respect for and
appreciation of, the role of technical and vocational
education in society.
Also, the passage of the Delta State Capital Territory
Development Agency and the Governing Board Bill, 2015 is aimed at
formulating policies and guidelines for the development of
the state capital territory , conceive , plan and implement , in
accordance with set rules and regulation , projects and programmes for
the sustainable development of the programme for the
sustainable development of the state capital territory, prepare
master plans and schemes designed to promote the physical
development of the capital territory as well as tackle ecological
and environmental problems.
In this respect Governor Okowa said, “During my tenure as Governor, at
least, one city or urban settlement in each of the 10 federal constituencies
will be designated for comprehensive renewal.” In doing this, the
Governor-elect vowed to focus on creating and improving on the internal road
networks, dualisation where necessary, drainage, construction of bridges and
flyovers, erosion control, modern transportation facilities, and provision of
electricity and other public utilities. “The development of roads, bridges, and ancillary infrastructure will not only ease commercial activities and
consequently, enhance economic growth and personal well-being of Deltans, it
will attract foreign investors to the state, and indirectly add advantage to
the state’s revenue”, he was sure.
Marching words with action, Okowa, a forth night ago
approved the dualisation of the Nnebisi /Cable
roads in the state capital , and the construction of a modern
market in Orerokpe , Okpe Local Government area, comprising
196 open shops, 28 lockup shops among other facilities, and
rehabilitation of a 20 bed cottage hospital in Abavo.
DESOPADEC
Just last week, Governor Okowa signed into law Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development
Commission (DESOPADEC) amendment bill. According to the governor, the bill now
signed into law is to give strength to the Delta State Oil
Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) by
restructuring the board and management , in line with
the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) model.
Public Service:
Having come to a good understanding of the progress and
challenges in the management of service delivery in the state, Okowa has vowed
to reposition public services in the state for better reward and performance.
“I am determined to create a virile civil service whose full potentials will be
developed through proper recruitment and focused capacity building. Integrity,
hardwork and honesty will be rewarded”, he said. Through this, he was sure, the
civil servants will deliver effectively and the revenue base of the state will
jack up without stress.
Housing:
He has vowed to articulate and land management policies
that will deliver sustainable housing programmes in the light of massive influx
of Deltans and immigrants into the key cities of the state by fostering synergy
among the activities of the Ministry of Housing, local government and related
agencies such as Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) amd Delta
State Oil Produding Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC). He has similarly
said private sector will be encouraged to participate meaningfully in
investment in housing through institutional incentives that will be put in
place for the Master Plan that will be developed for the major towns and
settlements within which programmes can be developed for residential,
commercial and industrial real estate that will be generating income to the
state.
Health:
Okowa has come to understand as a Medical Doctor-turned
politician, that “ Health is wealth.” He has therefore vowed to consolidate on
the gains in this sector by his predecessor. Besides that he was deeply
involved as a Senator in promoting necessary legislation to sustain and advance
the course of health and medical practice, he has said his administration will
vigorously pursue best practices, grow the institutions of health, advance the
quality of health and medical practitioners. He said his administration will
pursue a legislation that will support and promote UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE
POLICY for the people of the state, and even take cognizance of the Teaching
Hospital at Oghara, while other hospitals across the state shall be developed,
equipped and staffed to promote specialist services in various fields of
medicine.
To this end, he sent a bill to the State
House of Assembly titled ; Delta State Contributory Health Commission Bill
2015, which is undergoing consideration.
He said his administration will also train existing
health personnel and engage more community health extension workers and
sanitary health workers to boost primary health care / sanitation.
According to him, proper inventory and internal
visitations of all medical and health institutions shall be undertaken with a
view to improving upon the existing ones and establishing new ones where
necessary. By this, the state, according to him, can be sure of healthy civil
servants, living in good environment for better performance and achievement of
organizational set goals.
PRINCE VICTOR
EFEIZOMOR IS GOVERNOR OKOWA’S SPERCIAL ASSISTANT ON
MEDIA (PRINT)
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