From Ochei Matthew, Asaba
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said that he had sleepless night in governing Delta state in his one year in office.
The governor stated this in Asaba on Monday while briefing journalists on the activities to mark his first anniversary in office.
Okowa said that the dwindling economic situation in the country was affecting his government, thereby giving him a sleepless night to administer the state, adding that people expect more from the government despite the fall in oil price.
On Independent Power Plant (IPP) project in Oghara, government Okowa disclosed that he was neither involved on the project nor “benefit even N1” as it being alleged.
He explained that though he was a secretary to the state government (SSG) as the time the project was initiated and awarded, he was not involved in the project.
His words: “Yes, I was SSG when the IPP project was awarded but I was not part of the business and I did not received kobo, quote me anywhere. And such, I never stop the House of Assembly’s probe on Davnotch company owned by former speaker of the state, Hon. Victor Ochei who remains my friend, and I respect him even if he is not in my party again.
“As the governor of the state, I am concern how the IPP project will be useful to us, which the state government has spent N19 billion on so far, but still having a lot of challenges because we did not have a holistic idea about the project, that’s why we are seeking technical advice on the project.
The governor, however, decried the level of employment in the country, noted that his administration has created over 17,300 jobs in the state through its Skill Training Empowerment Program(STEP)and Youth Agricultural Empowerment Program(YAGEP) handle by office of job creation.
Governor Okowa said that in spite of the economic challenges, he was able to embarked on road constructions, building technical education in the three senatorial zone amongst others.
“Starting from tomorrow, I shall commence the commissioning of these projects; Oteri Township road in Ugheli North, Jeddo Ughoton road, Kefas road,Uduophori road(phase 1), Okere-Urhobo community road, Agbor , Sapele and Ofagbe Technical Colleges amongst others.
The governor assured Deltans that his administration shall continuously uphold and strengthen the values of good governance, honesty, transparency, fiscal discipline in service delivery.
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