Modular Refineries Will Boost Delta Economy, Provide More Jobs – Okowa’s Executive Aide. …Says State Police Will Enable Governor To Control Commissioner Of Police.

GOV OKOWA with His Executive Assistant on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

LAGOS/Nigeria: Executive Assistant to His Excellency the Governor of Delta State on communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe has again re-echoed the firm determination of the Okowa’s administration in fulfilling its 2015 electioneering campaign promises especially the spread of Prosperity to All Deltans.

He gave the assurance while responding to questions during a live television programme; “Democracy and the Rule of Law” aired by Galaxy Television in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.

He said the Smart Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has been able to drastically reduce the rate of poverty in the state through deliberate people oriented socioeconomic policies in the area of job and wealth creation as encapsulated in the smart agenda vision document, adding that over 3,000 youths domiciled in the three Senatorial districts are beneficiaries and still counting; through the Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Entrepreneurship  (YAGEP and STEP) programmes.

Oghenesivbe posited that the state government has directed the 25 local council chairmen in the state to constitute security task force within their respective local jurisdictions to assist the conventional security agencies in curbing crimes, especially to checkmate the vexed issue of unlawful killings by some lawless Fulani Herdsmen doing business in several rural communities and cities within the three Senatorial districts in the state.

On the issue of state police being canvassed by Nigerians, he said decentralization of the police is long overdue and must be considered as an integral component of the restructuring of the Nigerian Nation.

He urged the National Assembly to immediately commence the process for the amendment of the constitution to accommodate the establishment of state police with a proviso that State House of Assembly shall make laws for the structuring, funding, operation and administration of State Police.

“State Police is a welcome idea because we find it extremely unacceptable; a situation where a governor who is the Chief Security Officer of his state but do not have total control of the security agencies within his jurisdiction. This trend must stop and give way for a positive and goal oriented policing.

“The lacuna created by a section of the constitution which provides that the State Commissioner of Police may seek further directives from his superiors before carrying out the orders of the state governor on security issues; makes it mandatory for the establishment of state police or in the alternative amend the constitution to yank the proviso which gave birth to the lacuna.

“It follows that upon establishment of State Police, the federal government must Increase funding to the states from her current annual budget for the Nigerian Police Force; meaning that all present state police command shall be retained as State Police structures under the full control of the Governor as Chief Security Officer of the state.

“The Federal police shall then be reduced to special and specific services, working with state police whenever the need arises. The Inspector General of Police by the new arrangement shall have no power and control over state police. The office of the IGP can be renamed as Office of the Federal Police Commissioner, to oversee general federal police operations on specific crimes and core investigations related to federal government.

“In Delta State, His Excellency Senator Okowa and the state government have been able to ensure peaceful coexistence across the state through funding of security agencies; by providing necessary financial assistance and other resources to ensure effective policing and crime prevention which is why oil production has drastically increased and still soaring in the oil rich state,” Oghenesivbe said.

In a related development, the EA Communications, Fred Oghenesivbe has said that the three modular refineries to be established by the state government in Sapele, Okpai and Kwale, shall further provide jobs and create wealth for youths, women and a reasonable number of skilled and unskilled persons in the state.

Oghenesivbe in a statement made available to newsmen asserted that the modular refineries when operational shall refine 30,000 barrels per day; capable of radically transforming the local host communities into modern cities as commercial activities are expected to grow and impact positively on the living standards of the people.

“The visionary leadership of our amiable governor is again exposed through the modular refineries star projects. Imagine the thousands of jobs it will create during construction of the refineries and when they are operational. It will create jobs for petty traders, suppliers, engineers, contractors, drivers, professionals and so on and so forth.

“Delta State is fast becoming a major pacesetter in good governance through deliberate people oriented, people focused and public-private sector driven socioeconomic remodelling.

“Delta is a pacesetter in job and wealth creation; pacesetter in sustainable health for all initiatives and also a pacesetter in security and peace building advocacy, et al, which was why President Buhari once made a public statement, declaring Senator Okowa as the most media friendly governor in Nigeria.

“The smart agenda is still unfolding and the good people of Delta State shall continue to be the major beneficiaries till May 29, 2023 and beyond,” the statement added.