Okowa’s one year: Rich Experience in social stability, progress

 By Patrick Ukah 

Mr. Ukah

( BEING TEXT OF REPORT BY PATRICK UKAH, HONOURABLE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE FOR PROJECTS INSPECTION AND COMMISSIONING ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMPLETION OF THE COMMISSIONING AND INSPECTION EXERCISE BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR DR. IFEANYI ARTHUR OKOWA, GOVERNOR OF DELTA STATE ON FRIDAY, 24TH JUNE, 2016)

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to Ika North-East Local Government Area as we approach the final acts of the projects Commissioning and Inspection exercise which commenced precisely on Tuesday, 24th May, 2016.  The exercise was essentially conceptualized to commemorate the 1st Year Anniversary of His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s Administration in Office as Governor of Delta State.
The Essence of Celebrating One Year Anniversary
2.1    Elected Governments in different democracies all over the world have formed the tradition of celebrating one year in office to take stock and refocus the programmes and policies of Government.    Among other reasons therefore, the celebration of the 1st Year Anniversary of the Okowa’s Administration in office was deemed necessary for the following reasons:

Governor Okowa

to take stock of how well the administration has implemented the PDP’s Manifesto;
to critically examine the campaign promises of His Excellency, the Governor and identify how they have been translated to reality; and to see how Government policies have been matched with action.
The SMART Agenda and its Implementation within the past one year
3.1    The SMART Agenda of this Administration is evidently the plank upon which His Excellency’s programmes and policies rest upon.  For the benefit of those who are not quite familiar with the SMART Agenda, it is explained as highlighted hereunder:
S: -     Strategic Wealth Creation and Provision of Jobs for all Deltans
M: -     Meaningful Peace Building Platforms aimed at Political/Social Stability
        A: -    Agricultural Reforms and Accelerated Industrialization
        R: -    Relevant Health and Education Policies, and
        T: -    Transformed Environment through Urban Renewal
3.2    A cursory examination of the policies and programmes of His Excellency, the Governor ably confirms the widespread view that this administration has performed creditably to the admiration of not just party faithful but the generality of Deltans.  A statistical summary of completed and on-going projects eloquently attests to the wholesome commitment of this administration to the well-being of its people.
3.3    On road construction, twenty-two (22) roads were completed and commissioned while twelve (12) roads that are presently on-going would be commissioned upon completion in the near future.
3.4    In the Education Sector, three (3) Primary Schools, one (1) Model Secondary School, one Technical College and the Faculty of Law Complex, Delta State University, Oleh Campus were commissioned while the Model Secondary School, Ashaka was inspected.
3.5    In the Health Sector, the Pediatric Wards, Water Scheme and other completed facilities were commissioned at the Patani General Hospital, Patani.  Also, the construction works in the Accident and Emergency Project in the Hospital were inspected.  The Abavo General Hospital, Abavo, a completely new health facility, is also in the list of projects that is covered in terms of commissioning in this exercise.
3.6    The Construction of Orerokpe Model Market, Orerokpe, which is at an advanced stage of completion, was also inspected in the course of the exercise.
3.7    Two major YAGEP Cluster/Agripreneurswere visited and inspected at Ekpan-Ovu and ADP, Ibusa to highlight special achievements in “softer” areas of human development and empowerment.


4.0    The idea behind the commissioning/inspection of projects
4.1    The raison d’etre for the commissioning and inspection of projects by this administration besides the reasons adduced in the introductory part of this report is to monitor the effectiveness of projects implementation by contractors executing Government projects that are tailored to bring succour to the generality of our people.  They also provided the special and highly valued opportunity to interact with our various constituents.  The interaction afforded better understanding of our vision and plans as well as better appreciation of our people’s expectations.    The outcome of all these is an enriched democratic experience in the State which is crucial for social stability and progress.
5.0    Personal Experience
There is no gainsaying the fact that virtually every one of us that has been involved in the project commissioning and inspection exercise has learnt very useful lessons in terms of matching Government policies with actions, effectively applying public funds to people-oriented projects and programmes, monitoring expenditure to ensure realization of anticipated expectations as well as disciplined and focused approach towards complaints made by indigenes of project communities.  Over and above all of this is the need for every occupant of public office to remain focused and proactive in the face of dwindling economic fortunes, believing that better days are ahead for our dear State as ably demonstrated by His Excellency, the Governor throughout the exercise.
6.0    Future outlook
6.1    The finances of our State have been very well managed by His Excellency for socio-economic development of the State as evidenced by the visible projects awarded by this administration and which could be seen across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.  Deltans in general were grateful for the achievements so far recorded.
7.0    Commendation
7.1    On behalf of the Committee for Projects Commissioning and Inspection, I wish to thank and acknowledge for special commendation, His Excellency, Senator Dr.Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Governor of Delta State for finding us worthy to serve the State in our various capacities in the Committee.  Our thanks also goes to the following personalities who served as members of the Committee, Mr. James Augoye, Hon. Commissioner for Works, Mr.Bright Edejeghwro, Hon, Commissioner for Local Government, Rt. Hon. Basil Ganagana, Special Adviser Urban Renewal, Prof. Sylvester Monye, Senior Policy Adviser, Chief Festus Ochonogor, Senior Political Adviser, Mrs. Flora Alatan, Executive Assistant (Women Mobilization),Mr. Esquire Omimi, Political Adviser and Mr. Jackson Ekwugwum, Manager Communications.
7.2    Also recognized with special thanks is Mr. Jerome C. Morka, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government who served as Secretary of the Committee.  His effort and useful suggestions greatly facilitated the smooth execution of the Committee’s assignment.  He was ably assisted by two of his officers in the persons of Mr. A.O. Jaho and Andrew Atobremu, both Assistant Chief Administrative Officers in his Office.  To them, I say thank you.
7.3    Permit me to also thank in a most special way, the Chairman of our great Party, the People Democratic Party (PDP),Barr. Kingsley Essiso who was practically with us throughout the various sections.  Also, immensely appreciated are: the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly; the Deputy Speaker as well as all Honourable Members of the State House of Assembly, Members of the State EXCO of the PDP, Honourable Commissioners and members of the Delta State Executive Council.
7.4    Our thanks also goes to Chieftains of the PDP in the respective Projectlocations/communities,Local Government Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, Community Leaders as well as Contractors involved in the execution of the various projects for their understanding of the State’s financial situation and unflinching faith in the Okowa’s administration.
7.4    We note and commend the qualitative inputs of Mr. Bright Edejeghwro, Hon. Commissioner for Local Government and Chairman of the Security Sub-Committee, Members of all the Sub-Committees and Mrs. Flora Alatan, the Chairperson of the Entertainment and Refreshment Sub-Committee.Our special thanks goes to the sponsor of the Veracity Magazine, Mr. Andrew Isichei, Managing Director, Cybernetics International Services Limited, the foremost in-house publication of the Ministry of Information as well as Mr. Kingsley Erigbuem for his immense support in the publication of the State Executive Council Almanac.
7.5    We will not forget the invaluable contribution of the Media Sub-Committees of this event, in particular, Hon. Commissioner for Higher Education, Mr. Jude Sinebe, the Chief Job Creation Officer, Prof. Eric Eboh,the Chief Press Secretary to His Excellency, the Governor,Mr. Charles Aniagwu, all of whom gave their all to ensure the success of the exercise included here are the Director of Protocol, the Aide De Camp (ADC) to His Excellency the Governor, the Chief Detail, the CSO and their teams.  To them, we say thank you.  Our thanks also goes to Mr. James Augoye, the Hon. Commissioner for Works who ably assisted my humble self as Vice Chairman of the Steering Committee as well as serve as Chairman of the Venue Sub-Committee.
7.6    Finally, we appreciate and commend His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa for showing strong leadership, exemplary Statesmanship and maintaining his usual focused disposition.  Our Leader, Ekwuemegburugburu! You are our strength and inspiration.  We say to you sir, thank you very much and thank you very much indeed.  To all Deltans, we are grateful.  Thank you all and may God bless Delta State.
  
Patrick Ukah, fnim, arpa
Hon. Commissioner for Information
and Chairman, Project Commissioning and
Inspection Committee

June, 2016