The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration made significant progress in the development of the state in spite of daunting challenges in the past six years..
The governor, who made this known in a statewide broadcast to residents and the people of Delta on Monday, in Asaba, expressed gratitude to God for the achievements.
‘`Since 2015 when we came on board, this administration has been confronted with two major crises – the economic recession in 2016/2017 and the COVID-19 global pandemic that practically grounded the economies of the world.
“With great joy and gratitude to God, I am pleased to report that we have made more progress than was thought possible”.
“Exactly six years ago, we began the journey of building a smart, strong, and resilient Delta State where every citizen is empowered to pursue his or her dreams of success and happiness,” he said.
He said that his administration formulated the Delta State Medium-Term Development Plan (2016-2019) which included policies and programme priorities designed to accelerate infrastructural development.
Okowa said his government also prioritised policies to reduce youth unemployment and poverty as well as stimulate and sustain inclusive economic growth.
He also said that the Delta State Medium-Term Development Plan II (2020-2023) wass building on the foundation laid in the first term.
Okowa said that the Plan was anchored on six strategic imperatives including the adoption of cross-sectoral, multi-pronged approach to job and wealth creation.
He said that the Plan strongly emphasised on skills’ training and raising entrepreneurial leaders to combat youth restiveness, drive the economic diversification business and competitiveness of the State.
The governor said that the Plan also promoted civic engagement in communities and created the peaceful atmosphere necessary for development to take place.
He explained that his administration also made agriculture regain its pride of place in the economy through private-public sector partnership in the agricultural sector, and development of the agricultural value chain.ly
Gov. Okowa said that his administration also provided the Universal Health Coverage and cutting-edge technology for broad-based and excellent service delivery essential for a healthy and productive populace.
According to him, the administration has built “an educational system that will produce thinkers, innovators, leaders, and managers that will excel globally; and Partner with relevant stakeholders and investors to attract infrastructure funding”.
He said that some of his achievements also built and transformed the over 10 years abandoned Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, within three years.
He said that his government also established the Technical and Vocational Education Board and created a Special Purpose Vehicle, the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer to drive Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Development,
Gov. Okowa said that the Technical and Vocational Education Board had been integrated into the new Ministry of Technical Education created by this administration.
According to him, the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer is now known as the Job and Wealth Creation Bureau by Law of the government.
He said that Delta also maintained its leadership role in Sports and congratulated the state contingent to the recently concluded National Sports Festival (Edo 2021) “for doing us proud”.
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