Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa since assumption of office in May 29, 2015 has taken giant steps in tackling myriads of socio-economic and developmental challenges in the state, in his readiness to deliver the dividend of democracy to Deltans; Writes Prince Victor Efeizomor
Amidst cheers and jubilation from the mammoth 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 Microcredit 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 Defence 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 SMRAT 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, dualization 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 dualization 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, hard work 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.
Efeizomor is Governor Okowa’s Special Assistant on Media (Print)