Okowa Keeping Promise To Deltans –Ukah

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Patrick Ukah Is The Commissioner For Information In Delta State. He Spoke With ISIOMA MADIKE On The Reason Behind Delta At 25 And Sundry Issues. Excerpts:

What are your challenges as the mouthpiece of Delta State Government?
Well, it has been quite interesting, most especially now that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is in opposition at the centre. When you are in that state you get to see a few signs of unobjective criticisms flying over your face. We have tried thus far not to be distracted but remain focused.
So, it’s been interesting and challenging at the same time. The good thing that makes the whole thing interesting is that we have a governor that understands the game, who says and does what he told Deltans that he wants to do.
That is gladdening to some of us who are working with him. So, in terms of sincerity of purpose, honesty and integrity in every aspect of it, he has it. This makes my job as someone who disseminates information in the state a lot easier.
How would you describe the journey of governance in your state thus far?
In the face of an overwhelming adversity, the crash in crude, economic immobilism, a free fall in the value of the Naira, political rivals seeking the aid of the courts to overturn election results, uncompleted infrastructural projects, huge piles of internal and external debts; it is only a man with an endearing vision that can confidently declare ‘Prosperity for all Deltans’. The bearer of this news is not a man known to eloquently render bellicosity.
In fact, he is a man of great fortitude and humility and having the temperament and strong character to inspire greatness. His inaugural address on the podium was immediately recognised as a call to action which Deltans needed to hear, and in no time, has become a street slogan.
In a nutshell, what has happened thus far is that Ekwueme (one who keeps his words), the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, is keeping to his promises to Deltans such that nobody is complaining or crying about unfulfilled promises or marginalisation because the diverse interest in the state are represented in terms of even and balanced development as well as giving the different parts of the state a sense of belonging through his laudable approach to governance.
You talked about criticisms from the outside of the government. How have you been handling that?
I must tell you that opposition voice is something that every government must listen to. However, we try to answer them through the many projects that we are commissioning. In terms of road infrastructure, I don’t know any state in the federation that has done better.
These are not things we only talk about but they are there for all to see. Many of the abandoned ones restructured and new ones constructed. These have uplifted and gave the state a new look. Yes, oppositions are expected but the good thing is that we have re-mained focused and resolute in delivering what we promised the masses.
The majority of the people are happy with what we are doing, which is aptly encapsulated in our S.M.A.R.T. agenda.
There are reports that the state has not been able to pay workers salary. Another report listed Delta as one of the most buoyant states in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). What is the true position of the state’s financial status?
I think seriously that any person who says that the state is buoyant as it is today is lying. We cannot deny the fact that there is serious paucity of funds to do more than we would have loved to do. And it’s not also true that the state has not been able to meet its financial obligations as regards paying of workers’ salaries.
Let me reinstate that there are three tiers of government in Nigeria: federal, state and local governments. And for us as a state government, we have kept faith in terms of payment of salaries of workers, but if someone says that some local governments owe salaries, the person will not be far from the truth.
And people should understand that Delta State Government is not directly responsible for the payment of local government salaries. When we got the first loan, some people call it bailout, it’s not bailout but loans, we had to do an advertorial in some of the national newspapers to explain how that money was spent.
Part of it was given to some local governments to help offset dues that they owed. So, we need to differentiate a local government owing and that of the state with regards to salaries.
How about security which today is one of the major challenges, particularly in the Niger Delta region?
Yes, that is most unfortunate. But when it comes to the issue of security, once it becomes a response, it affects us directly, especially when you talk of the oil pipelines that are being vandalised and the direct consequences of that to us which is enormous. It affects what we get from the federation account negatively. As many oil wells that are blown up in Delta State, it affects the money we get from the federal level as a state. But His Excellency has tried all he could to hold a stakeholders meeting with all the concerned host communities to try to find what could be done to stem this tide of destruction because it is not helping the state and its people. A committee was set up as a follow up to such meetings and they have been to the creeks and communities talking with traditional rulers and youth organisations. We believe as a government that that is the best way out of this quagmire.
Critics have described the S.M.A.R.T. agenda as a white elephant; a pipehole meant to compensate the cabals in the state and to further pauperise the masses. How do you react to this?
S.M.A.R.T. agenda is a signpost of this administration and the projects are all there for anybody to see and judge. As a government, we have a clear vision of what we plan to do in our four-year tenure. It is basically to enthrone a legacy of wealth and prosperity for all our people and communities.
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. Our promise of prosperity for all is not a catch phrase or campaign rhetoric. It is predicated on the fundamental promise that we will succeed as a government when our people succeed.
It is born out of deep conviction that society is better, safer, and provided the enabling environment to pursue their dreams of success and achieve their full measure of happiness. Our administration is fully committed to what government is expected to do for its citizenry, which is to help them conquer their environment and enjoy decent living conditions.
Essentially, S.M.A.R.T. is a programme designed to create jobs, generate and sustain businesses, and stabilise families and communities within a framework of equity, fairness, and justice. When you go to our three senatorial districts and see what we have done and are doing, you will understand this better.
What is the reason behind Delta at 25?
First and foremost, there is every cause at 25 to say thank God. When Delta State was created, it was difficult for an average Urhobo man to accept an Anioma man; same with Itsekiri, Isoko and Ijaw. In the thickness of this animosity and evident disunity amongst us, we were able to bury our differences.
And it is a deal that we are happy about. At its creation on August 27, 1991, not many outsiders gave the state and its people a fair chance of inclusiveness, how much more the luxury of blossoming unity such as we see today.
They also regularly cited the multiplicity of tribes and tongues in the new state as further potential tinder that could ignite and sustain the fire of inter-ethnic feuds, and possibly, in their view, occasion a protracted shooting war. But how far off mark they have been proved by the indomitable people, some quarter of a century after the state was created.
Yes, to the chagrin of not a few, Deltans, aside from the unfortunate Ijaw/Itsekiri feud, the cause and effects of which have since been buried in the abyss of the past, have moved, inch after inch, of the way along the path of the wholesome development of their state, each holding endearingly to the other, little differences in tribe and tongue notwithstanding.
Long before the principle of equity, more popularly called power rotation or power sharing principle, was introduced as an operational tool to regulate the dynamism of Nigeria’s partisan politics, Deltans had embraced its concept and practice in the running of the state and the distribution of the available posts or offices (elective and appointive) and projects, among the various ethnogeographic and other interests. Perhaps, Deltans will remain for aeons to come, the standard bearer of our time, both in Nigeria and outside of it.
Moon News Online

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