August 10, 2021

Delta Government on Monday charged all its political appointees to relocate to their constituencies to mobilise and sensitize eligible voters to register in the ongoing voters registration exercise.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who briefed newsmen on the position of the government, had earlier met with the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in his office in Asaba.

Aniagwu said that the action would enable a political millage in the state chapter of the party to entrench electoral integrity and capture eligible voters who had crossed 18 years.

He also said that the state-owned media outfits had been directed to grant free-to-air on the ongoing voters registration.

He said that the state with a population figure of over five million people had not availed themselves of the opportune speed of the exercise.

“It is our duty as a government to mobilise our people for registration for future elections in the state.

“INEC alone may not have what it takes. We have directed all political aides to return to the local government areas, and our media establishment, including the Directorate of Orientation, to offer free publicity to INEC for the registration exercise,” he said.

The commissioner, however, berated the Senators and members of the House of Representatives who voted against the controversial electronic transmission of election results.

“INEC is all about Nigeria and not PDP, All Progressive Congress (APC) or any other political party, transmission of election results should be based on integrity of the body polity.

“Electronic transmission of election results should be a Nigerian thing, aimed at entrenching transparency.

“Anybody who is using GSM, listening to radio and watching Television, to transmit information and he is against electoral transmission is an enemy of the country; He or she has something to hide,” Aniagwu said.

Okowa mourns ex-Delta lawmaker, Dennis Omovie

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed sadness on the passing of Chief Dennis Omovie, a former member of the state’s House of Assembly.

Omovie, who is the Unuevworo (Traditional Prime Minister of Ugboroke), reportedly died on Tuesday night at a hospital in Warri, after a brief illness.

Until his death, the four-time member of the Parliament was the Director-General, Delta State Public and Private Properties Protection Agency.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Wednesday in Asaba, Okowa commiserated with the people of Warri South and Uvwie Local Government Areas and Ugboroke community in particular, over the demise of the grassroots politician and community leader.

According to the governor, the deceased was a thoroughbred politician, who was very popular among his people, accounting for the reason he contested and won elections to represent them in the state assembly for four consecutive terms.

He said, “on behalf of the government and people of Delta, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and grassroots politician, Hon. Dennis Omovie, who passed on in Warri on Tuesday.

“The news of his passing was a terrible shock to me and the entire state. He was a gentleman-politician, and he distinguished himself in the service of his people and the state.

“As a member of the State Assembly, he chaired the Committees on Public Petition, Legal and Judicial Matters as well as Public Accounts, and he served diligently.

“My condolences go to the family, especially his wife, Justice Mabel Omovie of the State High Court, Asaba.”

Okowa prayed God to grant fortitude to those who mourn his demise and grant the deceased’s soul eternal rest.

Delta expands Warri-Uvwie storm drainage project

The Delta State Executive Council on Thursday, approved the extension of Warri-Uvwie Storm Drainage project to ensure proper and enduring control of flood in the area when completed.

The extension, according to the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, consists of flood control works in Ugbuwangue community in Warri South Local Government Area and additional 15 work sites in phases I and II of the drainage project, bringing the sites to 76.

Aniagwu, who briefed newsmen on the outcome of the council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in Asaba, said that decisions reached on project and other issues at the meeting, were targeted at measures that would entrench and deepen the Stronger Delta agenda of the administration.

The commissioner, in company with the Director-General, Warri-Uvwie and Environs Development Agency, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said other projects, including the Advanced Diagnostic Centre and the Mother and Child Medical Centre, Owa-Alero, had been earmarked for immediate completion.

He said that the council approved additional works and procurement that would make the medical centre a world-class facility, adding that the Ministry of Health had been directed to ensure that work on the facility was fast-tracked.

He disclosed that the government also approved the appointment of Isaac Ajawhobu as the Odiologbo of Onogbokor Kingdom in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

Aniagwu further stated that adjustments for the state’s participation in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme to get more Deltans to key into the agricultural programmes were also approved by the council.

On his part, Macaulay recalled that the initial contract for the Warri and Uvwie flood control projects was awarded in January. 2020, but that progress of work was stalled by COVID-19 pandemic which set in and caused a lockdown.

“I am happy to report that CCECC, the contractor, has achieved 50 per cent of the initial contract while Levante has achieved a little over 40 per cent on its part, and the people of the areas are happy.

“I can tell you that if you go to Warri now, there are lots of the areas where we have already worked on and the people are very happy because there is no more flooding.

“The flooding in Enerhen Road and Enerhen Junction is now a thing of the past because the whole area has been taken care of,” he said.

Macaulay disclosed that with the increase of work sites on the storm drainage projects from initial 61 to 76 caused a corresponding increase of the contract value by N4.5 billion from the original sum of N9.5 billion, explaining that the increase was necessitated by some developments in the area.

“The whole of Ugbuwangue community is under water and the government at today’s meeting has also approved that the area should be taken care of,” he added.

Stronger Delta: Okowa seeks patience, cooperation of Deltans

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday commended Deltans for their cooperation with his administration, especially with the prevailing insecurity and economic challenges confronting families across the country.

Okowa gave the commendation in Asaba while swearing-in Professor Sylvester Monye as Senior Policy Adviser.

He said that Monye, who had served as his adviser since 2015, had made remarkable contributions to the success of his administration’s programmes and policies and urged him to see his re-appointment as a challenge for greater service.

The governor said that with the cooperation of the people, his administration would continue to improve on its programmes, particularly the entrepreneurial development schemes.

“I congratulate you on your reappointment and I am glad that you truly understand the programmes of this administration. Returning to your former office shows that you already know what to do.

“You have done quite a lot for this administration and it is my hope that you continue to strengthen our work both in the office and externally so that together we will be able to finish strong in the promises that we have made to our people,” he said.

Okowa remarked that there were lots of challenges facing the country, which needed superior thinking to navigate through.

According to him, there is quite a lot to be done but the finances are dwindling and there are lots of challenges of insecurity out there which threaten a whole lot of projects and even programmes that we have.

“In spite of these challenges, with superior thinking we should be able to navigate through and to come out strong.

“So, definitely we will be relying strongly on your experiences and your inputs to do well out there to meet the needs of our people,” he said.

The governor urged Deltans to be patient and to continue to pray for his administration to enable it to provide solution to the challenges facing them.

“The times are obviously challenging and our people are in very difficult times because of the insecurity in the land and the COVID-19 pandemic and many other issues that have created a lot of challenges to our people.

“I want to reassure Deltans that we identify with their challenges and we will continue to work hard to proffer solutions to the challenges.

“With their cooperation we will do well and continue to improve on the programmes of this administration.

“We will continue to stay focused on the goals that we have set for ourselves and we believe that in working together, we will be able to finish stronger,’’ he said.

He also commended the media for the fair and adequate reportage of his administration’s programmes and policies.

Responding, Prof. Monye thanked the governor for finding him worthy to be reappointed and assured him of his total commitment, loyalty and utmost dedication in the discharge of his duties.

He recalled that the Asaba Airport concessioning was successful because of the role the governor played in ensuring that integrity and transparency characterized of the process.

He disclosed that the Federal Government was adopting the Asaba Airport model in the concessioning of four airports in country because of the transparency and integrity of the Asaba example.

2023: Muhammadu Buhari not supporting Bola Tinubu – Presidency

The Presidency on Friday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the United Kingdom (UK) was just on account of goodwill and not to show support for his presidential ambition in 2023.
Speaking as a guest on Channels Television programme, Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said given the fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given the green light for campaigns to start, the president will never break the rules by campaigning.
He, however, said the President may campaign after the presidential candidate has emerged in the APC.
“The President still has two years, less three months in his tenure of office. So for him to start supporting somebody now will just be jumping the gun. And you know that President Buhari will never do that. Before the 2019 election, people started to campaign for him before INEC blew the whistle of the campaign to start. He was the one, who came out to say No, don’t do it. Don’t jump the gun.
“So the President himself will dare not jump the gun in terms of supporting one candidate or the other.
“Also recall that he has said that anybody who wants to be President after him should go out and work. That means the president may not be supporting anybody until maybe when the candidate of the party emerges. Knowing President Buhari, he will never jump the gun,” Adesina stated.

PRESIDENT BUHARI MOURNS LOSSES TO FLOODS IN NIGER REPUBLIC, STATES IN NIGERIA
President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with President Mohammed Bazoum, government and people of Niger Republic over devastating floods that have left many dead and affected homes.
President Buhari says losses reported from Niger Republic in the last two days were very vast and disturbing, while also taking note of flooding in many parts of the world, including some states in Nigeria.
The President affirms that natural disasters are symptoms of climate change which all countries, including Nigeria, have committed to taking measures to prevent the adverse effects.
President Buhari prays for all the departed souls and affected families.
Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 13, 2021