OKOWA, GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR 2018 AND HIS VISION OF A STRONGER DELTA

By Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq (EA Communications).

Good governance is the most vital aspect of constitutional democracy which is why there is constant need for appraisal to justify the peoples mandate.

It encompasses security of lives and property, socio-economic development and building strong institutions for sustainable development and virile economy.

The major focus of democratic institutions and partisan consideration is the people; the existence of a social contract between the leaders and the led, between government and the governed.

This is the basis of elections in all representative government around the world, a period of reflection on the performances and failures of those elected into public offices by eligible voters; representing the larger society at any given period.

Therefore, elections are integral part of the governing process which must be taken very seriously by members of society.

Election periods are critical moments where promises are made by political gladiators; aspirants and candidates of various political parties.

A time to get back to the people with scorecards and well crafted manifestos to enable the electorate take proactive decisions either to re-elect or elect candidates into various public offices to serve.

It follows that in 2015, a number of promises were made by the incumbent Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, under his SMART Agenda socio-economic programmes and policies and in the same token adopted the now famous “Prosperity For All Deltans” Mantra.

To achieve his vision for a new Delta where good governance tops the agenda, he blocked several financial leakages from top to bottom; and introduced measures to monitor funds inflow and prudence in the management of scarce resources so as to spread development to the three senatorial districts of Delta North, South and Central, respectively.

To ensure sustainable prosperity in the state, the office of Job Creation was put in place to develop a template for vocational training and skills acquisition so as to decongest the state labor market.

This gave birth to two major poverty alleviation and self employment programmes; the Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).

As at the last count, both programmes have created over 25,000 jobs within three years and six months and still counting.

Both YAGEP and STEP became job creation models which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the World Bank and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, recognized and supported with some measure of funding so that more Deltans could benefit from the laudable job creation vision of the Okowa administration.

Delta tops the list of states in Nigeria, in terms of job creation and fast growing state economy.

In the area of infrastructure development; more than 345 roads contracts have been awarded, completed and commissioned, making Delta number one in road construction and rehabilitation in Nigeria; a success story which has further endeared Governor Okowa to the hearts of Deltans.

In sports development, Governor Okowa took the bull by the horn and built the world class Stephen Keshi International Stadium which was recently certified by FIFA for international soccer events.

Asaba, the  state  capital is now a tourist attraction as a result of the gigantic stadium, one of the best in Africa.

Delta under Okowa hosted the 21st Senior Athletics Championship which took place at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba, among others.

Delta won various sporting events and played key roles n sports development in Nigeria, under this administration.

The Asaba international airport received a major boost under this administration.

The airport upgrade was tackled to a logical conclusion as Governor Okowa, rescued the project from the former contractor appointed by the precious administration over abysmal performance and re-awarded it to Setraco Nigeria.

Today, the Asaba International Airport  has been reopened for commercial flights and certified for domestic and international operations; another plus to Governor Okowa and his SMART Agenda team. 

Peace building and security have remaines top priorities of the Okowa administration which contributed to the increase in crude oil production in Nigeria; a shift from frequent hostility and kidnapping of foreign nationals to a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for commercial and social activities in Delta and by extension, the Niger Delta region.

The 05 Initiative pet project of the First Lady of Delta State, Dame Edith Okowa, built several Sickle Cell Clinics across the three senatorial districts where patients get free drugs and medical attention in the past three years and seven months and still counting.

In 2018 alone, over 2,025 blind Deltans including senior citizens of 70 years and above got their sight restored courtesy of 05 Initiative in collaboration with Restore sight Africa project.

The health sector received a major boost through the enviable people oriented programmes of Dame Okowa, her God given vision and ministry.

The contributory health scheme backed by social insurance policy is about the best in the country, acknowledged by national and international agencies and major stakeholders in the health sector.

In education, over 4,327 classrooms were constructed and renovated, equipped and made conducive for learning.

Six Technical Colleges were renovated, equipped and added to the number of functional schools in the state.

The idea behind the technical colleges is to train students on various vocational and technical skills that guarantee self employment so as to further enhance the quest for human capital development in line with the Prosperity for all Deltans mantra.

Governor Okowa has transformed lives in Delta State over the last three years and seven months; a deliberate attempt to fulfill his electioneering promises to the people of Delta State. It is safe to assert that the smart governor has fulfilled promises made in 2015.

He has received several awards but the most outstanding one in recent times is “Governor of the Year 2018 Award.” It came as a soothing balm this election year, a confirmation of the good governance initiative of the Smart Governor and a major tonic for his political detractors.

Congratulations to a man of vision, a promise keeper and consummate leader, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

We celebrate you even as you roll up your sleeves to give us a Stronger Delta, that is prosperous and socio-economically viable.