OBOREVWORI PLEDGES GREATER COMMITMENT TO FISCAL DISCIPLINE IN GOVERNANCE PROCESS

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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has said his administration is irrevocably committed to fiscal discipline, honesty, prudence, and transparency in the governance process. 

Governor Oborevwori stated this on Monday in Asaba at the Delta State Governance and Policy Direction Conversation, with the theme: “More Agenda: Economic Dynamics of Policy Direction, Open Governance and the Youth Inclusivity Question”, organized by the African College of Governance, an Institute of the Revive Africa Initiative. 

The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Prince Johnson Erijo, said the theme of the conversation, which also featured the presentation of a book on “The Thoughts and Perspectives of Rt. Hon. Ben Rollands Igbakpa on Leadership and Governance”, was apt and commended the group for the gesture. 

He stated that his administration had in the past three months focused on ensuring fiscal responsibility and judicious resource allocation in completing ongoing projects, as well as youth inclusivity in governance, adding 

that with the goal of advancing Delta, the M.O.R.E agenda covered policy thrusts for inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation, stronger human capital, accelerated infrastructural development and more efficient and effective governance and accountability systems.

Oborevwiei expressed delight that Hon. Rollands Igbakpa had thought it worthwhile to have a policy dialogue that zeroed in on the MORE agenda of this administration, which provided a roadmap to fast track economic growth, diversify the economy, promote investment, impose strict fiscal discipline, create wealth, build bridges of social unity, and develop a knowledge-based economy aimed at giving Deltans the hope of a better, rewarding, and fulfilling future. 

“The M.O.R.E agenda is ultimately about good governance, which today’s conversation is about. I believe the starting point for good governance is instituting a regime of fiscal discipline and responsibility.

“In our current operating environment of anxiety and uncertainty occasioned by the abrupt removal of fuel subsidy and continuing devaluation of the naira, the challenge for political leaders at all levels of governance is to think outside the box and demonstrate the highest levels of discipline, honesty, prudence, and transparency in government. 

“To these values we are totally and irrevocably committed, and we will do everything within our power as a government to entrench them in public administration”, the Governor assured. 

He said his administration had demonstrated the resolve to ensure that public funds were judiciously utilized with the completion of some inherited projects, pointing out that the composition of the State Executive Council was an undeniable proof of the commitment to youth inclusivity in governance. 

“At least ten of the recently sworn-in Commissioners are below the age of 40. That is unprecedented. As I pointed out during their swearing-in, the euphoria that greeted their nomination shows that we are on the right track.

“It is now incumbent on the appointees to prove that they are not too young to lead. Failure on their part would not be good for future consideration of youths in the governance process. 

“But I am persuaded that this crop of appointees will acquit themselves creditably because some of them have started on a good note”, he stated. 

He said his administration was committed to ensuring quality project delivery in the state by engaging contractors with high pedigree, stressing that one of the priorities of his administration was to ensure that the execution of road and physical infrastructure was handled by contractors with pedigree and proven track record of performance. 

“As you may have heard, we recently engaged Julius Berger Plc to construct three flyovers in the Warri and Uvwie axis as part of our ongoing efforts to give the oil city and the environs a facelift, as well as remedy the persistent traffic congestion in that part of the state.

Former Member, House of Representatives, Hon. Ben Igbakpa who authored the book, thanked the organisers for finding him worthy to be a mentor and called on leaders to make it a point of duty to mentor the younger generation. 

He urged the youths to learn from the older generation to boost their knowledge and experience.

For his part, former Speaker of the Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Luke Onofiok urged youths to develop themselves in order to prepare for leadership positions, adding that only the prepared can be mentored. 

Onofiok said while the younger generation deserved to be given opportunities to participate in governance, the wisdom of the older generation was necessary to get things right, even as he commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwiei for the blend of the young and old in his cabinet.

Earlier while welcoming guests the Director General of the Revive Africa Initiative, Ugagaoghene Ogheneyole, urged stakeholders to do more in setting agenda to drive policies geared towards serving the most fundamental needs of the people. 

He called for increased awareness drive on policy, budget analysis open governance through citizens engagement.

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