Speaking when members of Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo which is the umbrella body of government recognised traditional rulers from Delta Central Senatorial District paid him a congratulatory visit recently at Government House, Asaba, the Governor observed that allocations to the state from the Federation Account was always affected when crude oil from the state are lost due to pipeline vandalism.
He disclosed that in April 2015, the state lost three million barrels of crude oil as a result of criminal attacks on oil pipelines, noting that as such, revenue accruing to the state as a result of its oil output was reduced.
READ: Court sentences teenager to 3 days community service for sexually assaulting minor
“In the revenue allocation, we are going to lose an equivalent of three million barrels that would have come to the state, so, when it comes to the issue of derivation, instead of the eleven million barrels that we were supposed to produce as a state for the month of April, we have about eight million barrels and that definitely is going to affect us so much in the allocation we are going to have this month, so, we pray that our brothers and young ones will try to cooperate with us to ensure that we don’t have such things reoccurring in the future.”
The Governor, who took time to explain to the traditional rulers the activities of his administration since inception, said, the amendment bill for the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) which has passed through public hearing, was to make the organisation more effective in meeting with the needs of oil producing communities.
SEE Photos: Man strays into NUJ office, says he's tired of life and wants to die
“I insisted on a public hearing so as to get the people’s views which will vastly enrich the bill before it is passed into law. It is left for the House of Assembly after listening to the public to take its own decision and pass a bill that will be in the best interest of Deltans, this I will assent to”, he assured.
On the rumoured closure of the Government House Annex, Warri, Governor Okowa debunked the claim, saying that the annex and Governor’s Lodge in Warri were undergoing renovation, observing that the annex remains very important for government activities.
On the suspended civil service recruitment exercise, the Governor explained that the process for the recruitment was faulty, stating, “1,300 persons were employed towards the end of the last administration with all sorts of scandal that led to the suspension of the Board, the process was wrong and as such, the end result cannot be right. I promise Deltans fairness and justice, I will try to do what is right and just. With the drop in the price of oil, the state cannot even pay its existing workers without overdraft, so, is it right to employ more people? We must take decision in the best interest of the state without sentiments for the general goods of Deltans.”
“Our critics want to distract us, but I am not distracted, it is important to use this opportunity to remind Deltans that campaign has ended, they should sheath their swords, and work together with government to move the state forward,” he added.
The Governor thanked the traditional rulers for their support for his administration and assured them that he will also carry them and all Deltans along in his activities.
READ UPDATE: 100 Feared Dead In Lagos Pipeline Fire
“Indeed, this journey to the Government House has no doubt been long and tortuous but we were confident that you would make it. With your impeccable credentials, admirable track record coupled with our fervent prayers, in all, glory to God almighty who made your victory, our victory, a reality, we identify with you, we look forward to an era of even development of our state which your administration has started and we believe, will manifest throughout your tenure”, he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
WE LOVE COMMENTS, POST A COMMENT