ASABA/Nigeria: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has charged the newly sworn-in Managing Director of the Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency, Sebastian Okoh, and Director-General of the Delta State Local Content Agency, Stanley Kakor, to spearhead institutional reforms and stimulate economic growth in line with the administration’s MORE Agenda.
The governor gave the charge Thursday during their swearing-in ceremony at Government House in Asaba, expressing confidence that both appointees would justify the trust reposed in them through diligent and transparent service. He described the ceremony as another milestone in his administration’s resolve to build a diversified, resilient and investment-friendly economy for Delta State.
Oborevwori noted that DESAA, established under the 2015 enabling law, plays a critical regulatory role in controlling and monitoring outdoor advertising structures across the state, ensuring compliance with standards and curbing indiscriminate installations that contribute to visual pollution. Given the state’s strategic position within the southern economic corridor, he said effective signage regulation is essential to maintaining order and attracting investors.
He expressed confidence in Okoh’s competence to reposition the agency in line with global best practices, adding that improved regulatory oversight would enhance revenue generation and environmental aesthetics.
On the Local Content Agency, the governor explained that the institution, created in 2020, is designed to strengthen economic participation of Deltans, particularly in oil-producing communities. He said the law domesticates key provisions of Nigeria’s local content framework, including a requirement for up to 70 percent utilisation of local capacity in extractive industry operations and the patronage of indigenous contractors.
According to him, the agency is also mandated to monitor compliance with Memoranda of Understanding, Global Memoranda of Understanding and other agreements between companies, host communities and government, stressing that strict adherence would reduce tensions and foster sustainable partnerships. He urged host communities to also fulfil their obligations to ensure mutual trust.
The governor further advised the new officials to discharge their duties with fairness, accountability and transparency, emphasising the need for them to study their agencies’ enabling laws thoroughly to avoid actions that could violate statutory provisions. He encouraged close collaboration with ministries, departments, agencies, private-sector actors and community leaders to strengthen synergy and maintain peace.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Okoh expressed gratitude to God and to the governor for the opportunity to serve, pledging loyalty to the administration and assuring that both officials would carry out their responsibilities without fear or favour in strict compliance with the laws of the state.
The event was attended by senior government officials, political appointees and other dignitaries who witnessed the formal inauguration of the new agency heads.
