Okowa Charges New Commissioners to Justify their Appointment

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged the newly-appointed commissioners to justify their appointment and confidence reposed in them, especially as the administration enters the last lap of its tenure.

He also disclosed that the Ogheye floating market, being built by the state government in Ogheye, Warri North Local Council, would be ready for inauguration in September this year.

He said: “Very importantly, for those in the riverside areas, in the next one month, we shall be taking full delivery of the Ogheye floating market in Warri North Local Council.

“It is my hope that people from across the state willwitness the inauguration of this project, because it is a major one in which we are very proud of because many times, those in the riverside areas have been neglected for too long, but we have continued to partner them by doing projects that will improve their living condition.”

Okowa, who spoke, while swearing in five new commissioners at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, yesterday, said his administration’s “novel entrepreneurship programmes had become the reference point for youth development in the country, while our urban centres continue to experience growth and renewal through massive investment in roads and bridges.”

The new commissioners are Dr. Kingsley Ashibogwu (Higher Education); Dr. Darlington Ijeh (Human and Community Development); Dr. Godfrey Enita (Agriculture); Chief Anthony Ofoni (Project Monitoring and Audit) and Mrs. Nkechi Enumah-Chukwura (Girl-Child Entrepreneurship Development).

The governor, who is also the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for next year’s general election, stated that with less than one year to the end of his administration, every remaining minute counts as they strive to finish strong.

He, therefore, charged the new commissioners to remain focused and constantly in tune with the policy direction of the administration to make a quick success of their work.

“As the electioneering season gathers momentum, it is expected that political opportunists and detractors will employ every means possible to distract us.

“But you must remain focused and unwavering in the noble task of building a stronger Delta standing on the tripod of prosperity, peace and progress.

“It is going to take all of us thinking, planning and working together to actualise this mandate.

“You must promote inclusion and diversity in your ministry. In your utterances and actions, it is important that you develop a work environment devoid of mutual suspicion, distrust, exclusion and resentment.”

Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Enita thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve, assuring that they would deliver their services conscientiously in line with the stronger Delta agenda.