Infrastructure deficit: Okowa advocates improved funding

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has called for adequate funding of infrastructural development in the country so as to stimulate economic growth.

Speaking on Wednesday,[31-08-16] in Asaba, when he received the President-General, Comrade Amechi Asugwuni and the National Executive Council of National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture, and Wood Workers on a courtesy Visit, Senator Okowa said that efforts should be geared to free up more funds for infrastructural development as that would ensure economic growth, create jobs and improve investors’ confidence.

Governor Okowa receiving Comrade Asugwuni and entourage to his office.
With them is Oba (Dr.) Adeoye Olumide, the Molokun of Atijere Kingdom,
Ilaje, Ondo State during the courtesy visit.

“I want to commend you for the theme of this meeting-“Infrastructure and Policy Improvement: The Panacea For Economic Growth”- it is critical that we realise that infrastructural development provides an enabling environment for investment to thrive, it also creates jobs for our people, everything should be done to free funds for infrastructural development as it will stimulate the nation’s economy”, he said, stressing: "We have to reduce recurrent expenditure and concentrate on capital expenditure, when we spend over 80 percent of our revenue on recurrent expenditure, it portends a great danger to the construction industries and capital projects “.

He commended the Labour leaders in the state for the co-operation and support in the handling of labour issues in the state explaining that through their support the state have been able to maintain the payment of workers’ emolument despite the dwindling receipts from the Federal Government.

Governor Okowa (13th from right) in a group photograph with members of the union.

He assured the Union of the state government’s readiness to partner with them in the development of a housing estate for workers, pointing out that enabling environment would be provided for the development of the project.

Earlier, Comrade Asugwuni had informed Governor Okowa that they were in Asaba to hold the union’s national Executive Council meeting which has the theme ““Infrastructure and Policy Improvement: The Panacea For Economic Growth”.

He commended the governor for his labour friendly posture and for making the payment of workers’ emolument a priority in these challenging times.