Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Thursday, called for immediate assessment of the cause of the petroleum product tanker explosion, which razed down no fewer than 25 houses and destroyed valuables worth millions of naira in Ohoror community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

The incident, which occurred on Wednesday night in the community located along Warri-Portharcout Expressway, reportedly claimed two lives in the two trucks involved in the explosion.

Okowa made the call when he visited the scene of the incident.

He commiserated with the community on the tragedy and gave assurance that government would take steps to cushion the effect of the inferno on victims.

The governor said that no effort would be spared in putting out the fire completely and directed the State Director of Fire Service to remain on ground untill the fire was completely extinguished and other oil trucks posing a threat to the community were evacuated.

The governor who was accompanied by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sherrif Oborevwori and Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, commended the Fire Service for prompt response and advised the community to keep off from the fire scene in addition to being vigilant to avoid loss of lives as government was working hard to contain the spread of the explosion.

Briefing the governor earlier, the state’s Director of Fire Services, Mr Eugene Oziwele, said that his men were alerted at dawn and he quickly mobilized to the community.

He added that fire-fighting trucks were mobolised from Ughelli to ensure that the fire was extinguished completely.

Also briefing the governor, President-General of Uwheru Kingdom, Chief Macpherson Igbedi, said that no fewer than 20 houses were gutted by the fire and appealed for more efforts in evacuating an abandoned tanker laden with gas from exploding.

He said two trucks conveying gas and diesel rammed into each other at the Ohoror junction before the explosion occurred.

The Chairman of Ughelli North Council, Chief Godwin Adode, was on hand to conduct the governor round the affected area.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE, OKOWA URGES PUBLIC SERVANTS

Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged public servants to show exemplary leadership by making honesty and dedication to duty their guiding principle in order to overcome the challenges plaguing the nation.

The governor gave the charge on Monday in Asaba while swearing in members of Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission which has Mrs Cordelia Anyangwu as Chairman.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, Okowa emphasised that once leaders showed good example through good leadership conduct, followers would be forced to adjust thereby improving productivity in the nation’s economy.

He said that if discipline was entrenched in public office, some of the challenges of the country would become a thing of the past.

“This event is another step in our resolve to strengthen and reposition the administrative machinery of the State House of Assembly and other arms of government for optimum performance.

“Your appointment is no doubt a recognition of your record of experience, hard work and contributions to the development of Delta State,” he said.

He urged the new chairman and members of the commission to see their appointment as a call to service and an opportunity to contribute to the growth and sustainable development of the State and its legislature.

“I urge all of you to be team players who should make honesty and dedication to duty your guiding principle, including leading the way of good conduct for other staff to follow by being disciplined, conscientious and punctual to work.

“I charge the newly inaugurated chairman and members of the commission to work assiduously to achieve desired objectives’’.

According to Okowa, the State House of Assembly Service Commission is saddled with the responsibility of managing the workforce of the State Assembly.

“The key responsibilities of the Commission include the appointment of staff to all offices of the State House of Assembly; to promote, transfer and confirm such appointments, including the discipline of erring officials.

“It is on record that the Executive and the Legislative arms of government in the State enjoy a good working relationship and State legislature has long been enjoying financial independence.

“The inauguration of the chairman and members of the assembly service commission will also enhance the administrative independence of the State legislature,” he said.

The governor commended public servants in the State for their continued loyalty, understanding and support and lauded the chairman and members of the immediate past commission for their services to the government and people of the state.

“My dear Deltans, while recognising the challenges we face and the need to overcome them, let us note the progress we have made so far in the life of this administration.

“Let us continue to build on the prevailing peace in the State and do nothing that is capable of heating up the polity.

“We will continue to do our very best by the grace of God, to give effective leadership with integrity, fairness, justice and honour to every part of our dear State,” he stated.

The governor congratulated Mrs Anyangwu for emerging as the Chairman of the Commission, which also has Dr Philomena Onyearone, Chief Timothy Umukoro, Mrs Komboye Mowoe, Sunday Ebireri, Chief Innocent Okofu and Andrew Ukavwe as members.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Anyangwu expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity given her and members of the commission to serve the state and thanked Governor Okowa for deeming them fit to serve.

“This is a position of trust and confidence. We assure you that we will carry out our activities diligently with absolute loyalty as our guiding principle and will do everything possible to move the Commission forward.”

The ceremony was attended by member Representing Warri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Deputy Speaker. Mr Ochor Ochor; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theresa Diai, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Patience Elumeze, among others.

PRESS RELEASE

COMPLETION OF LEKKI PORT FINAL SOLUTION TO APAPA GRIDLOCK, SAYS SANWO-OLU

•Publisher commends Governor, LASG EXCO for delivering on promises

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday said completion of the Lekki Port will put an end to the intractable Apapa gridlock, the congestion along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, port access roads and Apapa environs.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement at the Opening Ceremony of the Africa Business Convention, organised by Business Day Newspaper at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he noted that “The final solution to Apapa gridlock will be the completion of Lekki Port.”

The Governor said several measures would be put in place to ensure Apapa is congestion-free, saying that “we need to change the officials regularly to ensure there is no compromise in services rendered.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu who spoke passionately about his administration’s commitment to delivering the dividends of democracy to millions of Lagosians through the THEMES developmental agenda for Greater Lagos said his government has completed iconic projects within the State in the last two and half years.

He also cited some of the infrastructural projects such as Lekki Deep Port, 4th Mainland Bridge, Red and Blue line rails and Imota Rice Mills, among others that are ongoing or in the pipeline, which according to him would be completed and become operational within the next 24 months.

The Governor said the process leading to the commencement of the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge, which starts from Badore in Ajah and ends in Ikorodu, would be completed before the second quarter of the year.

He said: “Lagos is, in addition to being Africa’s most populous megacity, the continent’s premier business and investment destination, and we will continue to do all within our power to remain so.

“As I speak, several landmark public and private infrastructure and investment projects are underway or nearing completion in Lagos State; the biggest single-train Petroleum Refinery in the world, one of the largest Rice Mills in the world, one of the largest and most modern Deep-Sea Ports on the continent, and West Africa’s biggest Light Rail network. Within the next 24 months, we expect all of these to be operational.

“We are also Africa’s Startup capital, ahead of Nairobi, Cape Town and Johannesburg, in terms of the number of startups and in terms of investment inflows and the size of exits. Flutterwave and Paystack, two of the most prominent African unicorns of the decade, were born here.

“In addition, we are home to several major investments ongoing in real estate, like Eko Atlantic on the edge of Victoria Island, and Alaro City on the Lekki Peninsula.”

Speaking at the event, the Publisher of Business Day Newspaper, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the great work he has done in ridding Apapa of traffic gridlocks and for delivering on his promise to the people of Lagos State.

He said: “When we had the interview, which I moderated, hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry before the elections in 2019, Apapa dominated that conversation. I don’t know how often you go to Apapa Mr. Governor but I think between 23 and 27 minutes these days, you get Apapa.

“When I have an appointment with people, they often will get to the office before I get there because they would make so much room for traffic and they don’t find any traffic on the way; so they are there waiting for me in the office. So, Mr. Governor, I want to acknowledge the work that you have done and to commend you and your team for delivering on your promise.”

SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
01 FEBRUARY 2022