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Tag: Okowa

  • Tribunal dismisses Okowa, PDP’s applications to stop INEC subpoena

    Tribunal dismisses Okowa, PDP’s applications to stop INEC subpoena

    The Delta State Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal, sitting in Asaba, Thursday dismissed motions filed by the three respondents in the petition, challenging a subpoena order granted by the tribunal, which was served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC in the April 11 election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, is challenging the declaration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the poll.

    Emerhor was billed to call in witnesss by Tuesday, but it was stalled following three fresh motions filed by counsels to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the PDP and INEC shortly before the trial was to begin.

    The tribunal then adjourned till Thursday, August 20, to hear the fresh motion filed by the counsels to Okowa, the PDP and INEC, challenging the subpoena served on INEC by the petitioner.

    At the resumed hearing of the fresh motion on Thursday, counsel to the petitioner and the APC, Chief Thompson Okpoko (SAN), branded counsels to the three respondents as “meddlesome interlopers and rabble rousers”, whose applications were meant to cause confusion and stall the hearing of the petition.

    Okpoko, citing many judicial authorities, averred that both Okowa and PDP have no locus standi to file the fresh applications, as the subpoena was served on INEC who conducted the election, and should be able to show evidence that the election was conducted in line with laid down laws.

    He added that it was only INEC that could apply to set aside the subpoena, and averred that in this petition, the provision of law was not applicable.

    Okpoko, in his final submission, noted that; “these applications have one purpose: It is to stall the hearing of the petition and an attempt to defeat it by delaying the hearing of the petition. The application is borne out of rabble rousing. It is to cause confusion. They are meddlesome interlopers and trying to cry louder than the bereaved.

  • Delta’s debt burden: Okowa wrong to complain, says APC Professionals

    Delta’s debt burden: Okowa wrong to complain, says APC Professionals

    For professionals in the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has no moral right to blame past administrations for the state’s indebtedness.

    The professionals, under the aegis of APC Professionals, said it amounted to self-indictment on the governor to have complained about the huge debt burden he inherited because he had been in government for eight years.

    In a statement yesterday in Lagos, APC Professionals, whose activities are anchored on politics with integrity and professionalism in Delta State, alleged that Okowa was a part of the rot in the state.

    It noted that blaming the administration was a self-indictment on his part.

     The statement said: “It is strange to listen to the governor blaming the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Delta State when the truth is that the rot started as far back as 1999 and the incument governor played a major part in that government.”

    The group alleged that there had been mind-blowing revelations being leaked to the media about a “huge treasury looting and financial impropriety”.

    APC Professionals said: “The present governor seems unsure whether he should cry out and probe the last administration or to accept the actual debt position.

    “The past administrations in Delta State has created huge financial problems for the PDP-led government, as they have plunged the state into a huge debt of over N238.6 billion bonds taken from banks and an additional N534.6 billion in pure contractual liabilities.

    “We must state the facts for the record that the legacy projects on ground are white elephant projects which do not complement the amount being owed in bonds or in pure contractual liabilities.”

    The statement listed the projects to include road infrastructure, such as the uncompleted roads/underground project designed to channel floods into the Asaba River and the Trans-Warri – Ode Itsekiri Bridge and roads (started by former Governor James Ibori).

    Others are: business and tourism, including the Delta State Industrial Power Project (IPP) on electricity, Asaba Cargo Airport and the Oleri/Ogwash/Effurun tourist attraction.

    The group regretted a civil service job sales fiasco, which allegedly rocked the past administrations.

    It said: “It is on record that Delta State is battling ghost workers, but information not known to the public is that a company was given the contract to fish out the ghost workers.”

    The group added: “In complete disregard for due process of bidding, the contract was awarded for a staggering amount of N1.9 billion, with 60 per cent of the amount paid upfront. The N1.9 billion, when calculated, surpasses the amount to be paid to the ghost workers for the governor’s eight years’ rule.”

  • Okowa gets kudos for appointing IYC man as aide

    Okowa gets kudos for appointing IYC man as aide

    The Ogbe-Ijoh Warri branch of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State has hailed Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for appointing the council’s national spokesman, Eric Omare, as his special adviser on Youths and Community Affairs.

    In a statement yesterday in Warri by its Chairman, Liberty Arerebo and Information Officer, Joseph Oromoni, the IYC said the choice of Omare, who is also a son of Ogbe-Ijoh, was best because of his relationship with youths among the various ethnic nationalities in the state.

    The statement said the appointment would guard against restiveness.

    It urged the governor to fund Omare’s office to enable him perform his duties effectively.

    “We strongly believe that the governor has made the right choice by appointing Eric. He (Okowa) has put a the round peg in a round hole because youth restiveness, mostly in coastal areas and even the upland, will be reduced to the barest minimum because of his relationship with the youth at the grassroots. We also urge the governor to fund him and his team so that they can carry out their duties efficiently…”

  • Okowa not flamboyant, says PDP chief

    Okowa not flamboyant, says PDP chief

    CHIEFTAIN of Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Pius Ovwidje, has said Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is not a flamboyant person.

    Ovwidje spoke at a public function while he was reacting to the N10 billion the Okowa administration borrowed because of the alleged empty treasury he inherited.

    The PDP chieftain said government must continue, adding that Okowa should start from where his predecessor stopped.

    According to him, Okowa could borrow, if he encounters financial constraints.

    The PDP chief described Okowa as a people-oriented governor, adding that he had explicit confidence that his administration would usher in the development of Delta State.

    Ovwidje said: “Okowa is one man who is articulate and focused. His appointment so far has spoken volumes of his preparedness to carry all the ethnic nationalities along, respective of tribe.”

  • ‘Delta oil-bearing communities unhappy with Okowa over DESOPADEC’

    ‘Delta oil-bearing communities unhappy with Okowa over DESOPADEC’

    Sandys Omadeli-Uvwoh is a member of the EPZ committee which is to oversee peace process in the Deep Sea Project in the disputed land between the Itsekiris and the Ijaws in Delta State. In this interview with reporters in Benin City, Sandys said the fracas over the naming of the project was unnecessary. Osagie Otabor was there  

    You are a member of the EPZ committee. The siting of the project has been a source of problem between the Itsekiris and the Ijaws. Why has it been so?

    It was not properly managed. That shouldn’t have brought any disagreement between the Itsekiris and the Ijaws because there has been a land case for the past 39 years. The case was started in 1976 and the Ugborodo won. When the Ijaws went on appeal, the appeal court reversed the case to the lower court and the Ugborodo went to the Supreme Court. Right from when the first judgment was delivered, there was no crisis over the land. We maintained the peace. Now that the EPZ project is sited there, what would have happened is to determine how to manage the economic gains. It is a question of coming together on how to manage the project. Based on the lower court judgment, Ugborodo people are the landlord while the other people are customary tenants. Whichever way, we are all impacted as far the project is concern. That should not have brought up drums of war. The problem is not the land, it is how each ethnic group will benefit from the economic gains They are already doing the clearing. Itsekiris are doing their part of the clearing while the Ijaws are doing theirs. There is no fight.

    EPZ issue was one of the problems of Jonathan’s administration based on which community it should be named after. What is your stand?

    I didn’t see it as a problem but rather they brought in ethnicity. If Jonathan’s administration was serious, what they should have done is to look at the legality of the whole issue. We went to court in 1976 over this land. If this issue has been on for over 39 years and there was no fight, it shows you that the problem is not the land but the major issue bringing uprising is the financial benefits in terms of employment, contracts and other benefits. The Itsekiris and the Ijaws should reach sharing formula with other impacted communities so that everybody will benefit from it so that peace will be maintained.

    Ayiri recently secure a court injunction which some Ugborodo chieftains saw as a hindrance to peace process…

    I don’t see Ayiri as a troublemaker the way he is being painted. Ayiri’s stand is that Ugborodo people own the land. The matter is in court. Ayiri’s position is that it should not be named Gbaramatu in the first place. He has been against it. He has been publishing articles in favor of Ugborodo. When they were signing the memorandum for understanding, he said he was not part of it and that he would go to court.

    He has every right to go to court. He is an interested party. I supported his court processes. Ayiri is stopping the naming of the Deep Seaport after any community until the Supreme Court decides on who owns the land. He has gotten ruling from the lower court and that should not cause any problem because the ruling was not in favour of any of the parties involved. My Ijaw brothers should wait for the Supreme Court decision and for now let us think of how to make the environment peaceful for the investor and the government will have confidence in all the parties.

    Do you think going to court will solve the problem?

    Ayiri did not sue the Gbaramatu people. He sued the Federal Government and all the agencies surrounding the EPZ to stop them from naming the project after any community to avert chaos. Anybody going to court wants peace and is a law abiding citizen.

      A spokesman for the Ijaws said the naming of the project has been concluded. 

    It has not been concluded. The Ugborodo people have not said they are not the owner of the land while the Ijaws are saying they are the owner.  If Ayiri had said the Ijaws should not be given anything, that is when I think it would bring problem.

    What is the way forward as the Ijaws and Itsekiris have always fought wars? Will this not bring another war?

    I will not go to war when I know that I am the legitimate owner of the property and also when the matter is in court. I do not think this will bring war. The case in hand is like the biblical case solved by King Solomon over the ownership of a child. If the Ijaw believes that they own the land, they should wait for the Supreme Court to decide.  The suggestion is that there should be a broad interface committee that embraces all stakeholders whether you are landlord or customary tenants. The immediate issue is surface benefit of what is on ground. It can be settled by both parties reaching a compromised. They should use the formula used for bush clearing to determine other benefits until Supreme Court determines the owner of the land. They are doing clearing there and nobody is fighting each other.

    Chairman of the EPZ committee has taken a decision on the issue. Why are you opposing him?

    I am not opposing him but I am entitled to my opinion based on my experience and my age. The issue on ground is not about being educated with many degrees. When Ayiri was writing and putting paid advert, nobody called him to order. Now that he has gone to court, they are making noise over it. In law, you don’t sleep over your rights because he wants peace. He has done the right thing as a civilized Itsekiris man by going to court instead of going to war as a committed patriotic son of Ugborodo. And he is taking after his maternal great grandfather, Olueh, who stood against late Chief Dore Numa over Ugborodo land. Any committed patriotic sons of Ugborodo should be proud of Chief Ayiri. That last meeting we held over this issue, Ayiri was invited and when he stated his own side of the story, he said he would consult his lawyers. The chairman was in court the day the injunction was granted that the place should not be named after any community. When you look at Ayiri’s case, nothing has been done. If the Supreme Court decides to rule in favour of Ugborodo, will the chairman now say sorry, the place has been named after Gbaramatu or the ruling of the Supreme Court has no value because an agreement has been reached? Nobody should bring sentiments. The matter is in court and nobody should beat drums of war. The Itsekiris/Ijaw crisis was not based on ownership of land. The origin of that crisis started with bunkering. It was bunkering that sparked the war before local government issue came up. The whole fighting was based on bunkering.

    An Ijaw chieftain has said that the present DESOPADEC bill presented by Okowa will created crisis among oil producing communities.

    Okrika is a friend and I have regard for him. Even if what Okrika is trying to say is right but he should not be the one because he started the illegality as pioneer chairman of DESOPADEC that Okowa is trying to legalize. He aided them because he was a pioneer chairman of DESOPADEC. I was a member of the host communities who fought for the establishment of DESOPADEC. We made Okrika our leader. Every ethnic nationality contributed to press for the 13 percent. The purpose is to douse tension in the oil communities. What Obasanjo agreed was for each oil producing community to get according to what is produced from their areas. This was to enable the communities protect their areas. That will put the communities to check pipeline vandalisation and bunkering. We felt we must be the ones to be appointed. We asked Okrika to be the chairman and he instead abandoned us and connived with the government to do what Okowa is trying to legalize. For Okirika to be shouting now means he is seeking relevance. He wants the government to negotiate with him. He is not shouting on behalf of the oil producing communities.

      How would the change in the bill bring about crisis?

    What Uduaghan tried to do was in line with the original concept which was for each ethnic nationality to have their person. People felt Uduaghan did not attempt to effect the changes during his eight years in office and wanted to bring it in in the dying days of his administration. Right now, what Okowa is trying to do is to legalize the illegalities they have been practicing. Okrika started the illegality. As far as I am concern, we will go to court. We are not going to fight. If they pass the law and it is not okay with the people, we will fight it in court.

    Are the Itsekiris okay with the bill as proposed?

    Not at all; unless you are not from oil producing areas. If the bill is passed, DESOPADEC will become government agency that takes care of every part of the state and no longer that of the oil producing communities. Okowa can decide to use 60 percent of the money to develop any area he likes. The bill is anti-oil producing communities. They should not pass that bill. All the oil producing communities in the country should come together and take RMFC to court or a commission should be set up for the oil producing communities. They should demand that the 13 percent should be given to the host communities directly and not through the State Governments. House of Assembly members from oil producing communities should not pass that bill. By doing that, the government should ask those oil companies whom they acquired land from in 1970 before the Warri crisis.

     

  • Okowa’s Smart tune for Delta

    Okowa’s Smart tune for Delta

    A new tune is wafting across Delta State. It is the SMART tune with a loveable chorus of “Prosperity for all Deltans”. The proponent and natural cheerleader is no other than Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the Executive Governor of Delta State, whose consuming passion is how to ensure that his fellow Deltans, irrespective of differences in ethnicity, gender, faith, geographical location and political persuasion, live a good and decent life.

     SMART, an acronym for a well thought-out, all embracing and masses-oriented agenda, meticulously packaged to usher in “Prosperity for all Deltans” involves: Strategic wealth creation initiatives and provision of jobs for all Deltans; meaningful peace building platforms, aimed at political/social stability; agricultural reforms and industrialisation; relevant health and education policies; transformed environment through massive urban renewal.

     The aesthetic appeal of Okowa’s SMART agenda can be located in the way and manner the various components are designed to address those things that are at the heart of peoples’ efforts to meet their everyday needs. It was, therefore, not surprising that, notwithstanding frantic efforts in some quarters to divert Deltans’ attention and focus during the April 11 gubernatorial election, they stuck to their choice. For them, the SMART agenda represents the most plausible and reasonable message of hope that is genuine, original in content and appeal and the best option going forward.

     It was not surprising, therefore, that across the three senatorial zones, Deltans consciously and overwhelmingly voted for the opportunity for this new song of hope to be sung with greater fervor and intensity across the state.

     And from the very moment he assumed office, Governor Okowa has left no one in doubt about his determination to walk his talk and ultimately deliver “Prosperity for all Deltans” in line with his campaign promises.

     As we speak, the administration has already unveiled six entrepreneurship schemes that will create 6,000 direct jobs in the next six months.  These schemes include the: Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP); Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP); Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP); Tractorisation; Extension of Loans and the Development of Agro-Industries.

     Significantly, these schemes are being transparently pursued, using the revered traditional institution in the 25 local government areas in the state. Targeting 6,000 direct jobs before the end of 2015 is indicative of the seriousness which Okowa attaches to the implementation of the SMART agenda aimed at economically empowering Deltans.

     Governor Okowa has also taken an unprecedented step in ensuring that a critical agency of government, the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Commission (DESOPADEC), is repositioned in a way that it will be able to effectively deliver on its mandate to the people and the state by reviewing legal provisions that have all along impeded the commission’s performance as expected. One cannot but commend the determination, foresight and political will of Governor Okowa to revisit DESOPADEC as it is presently constituted. It is all part of his determination to ensure that prosperity for all Deltans does not turn out a mere slogan, but a concrete and visible wealth for all.

     Regrettably, few self centered individuals who are benefitting from the skewed arrangement in DESOPADEC have gone to great length to discredit and demonise an otherwise laudable and timely intervention by the governor. It is, however, gratifying to note that the majority of stakeholders, who appeared before the Hon. Dennis Omovie-led Ad-Hoc Committee of the Delta State House of Assembly on DESOPADEC during the public hearing on July 17, commended Governor Okowa’s initiative to make the commission more effective and efficient in utilizing the resources accruing to it.

     For those who have chosen to label Governor Okowa’s line of action on DESOPADEC as having a “hidden agenda”, the governor, again, personally explained his motives to revered traditional rulers from Delta Central early in the week during a courtesy visit to him at Government House, Asaba. Hear him:

    “We are not going to do anything in secrecy. In my inaugural speech, we made it clear that we will strengthen DESOPADEC along the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission) pattern; we want to ensure that we have a structured management system that would not be based on ethnic sentiments. The commissioners from different ethnic nationalities will be members of the Board where they will present issues concerning their ethnic nationalities, while the management, which is insulated from ethnic politics, implements policies reached.

    “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 reassured the royal fathers.

     Governor Okowa has also not hidden his desire to see to the quick completion of the Asaba Airport by contractors handling various projects there. This much he made known to the contractors when he paid an unscheduled visit to the airport early in the month.

     Besides, he has demonstrated that he is capable of taking big decisions which require strong political will devoid of unnecessary sentiments in the overall interest of the good people of Delta State.

     The governor has left no one in doubt on his commitment to SMART. While swearing-in some commissioners and special advisers recently, he urged all political appointees to firmly key into it, especially the job creating programmes.

    “It is incumbent on you to make the attainment of the lofty goals in the SMART agenda your watchword; they must be the focal point around which all your decisions and actions will revolve”, he solemnly admonished.

     A focused, painstaking and far-sighted pan-Deltan, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa couldn’t have emerged as the Governor of Delta State at a better time. For a man who has superintended three different ministries in the state as a commissioner; functioned as the Secretary to State Government (SSG) and has also represented the good people of Delta North as a Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic where he shone like a million stars, Okowa arrived this point well prepared.

     Those who know him speak eloquently and confidently about his near immeasurable passion and selfless commitment to empowering people economically. A conviction they say is second nature to him. If there was one thing for which Governor Okowa is famous as a public figure, it is his ability to deliver on his promises. It is for this reason that he is fondly called Ekwueme, which literally means “a man who keeps promises”. Yet, in all this, he carries himself with disarming humility.

     For the majority of Deltans, who are bent double by the excruciating pangs of poverty, SMART comes as a sweet music to their ears. And they are in their millions. For such people, and many more Deltans of goodwill, it is simply let the SMART tune “play on, play on, play on”, the way a Lionel Richie would render it.

    –Avwode, media aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, wrote from Asaba.

  • Okowa keeps his word, say Isoko youths

    Okowa keeps his word, say Isoko youths

    Isoko youths, friends of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, have described him as a realist, who always keeps his promises.

    The youth spoke at a thanksgiving service marking Okowa’s birthday.

    They urged fellow youths to support the governor to implement his administration’s developmental programme.

    The youth were led by the National President of the Isoko National Youth Assembly (INYA) and newly appointed Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Youths and Community Development, Comrade Victor Egbo.

    They described Okowa as a realist and godly man.

    The thanksgiving service was held at the Anglican Church of Nigeria, St. Paul Cathedral, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area.

    The organisers said it was meant to show their appreciation to the governor for appointing Egbo into his State Executive Council (Exco).

    Egbo said: “Silver or gold, I have none to give His Excellency, Senator Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa. I decided to go with the youth of Isoko nation and Delta State to thank God for adding one more year to his life.

    “All I have is God and I think that is the best gift I can offer the governor for his birthday.”

    Expressing gratitude to God and Okowa for his appointment, Egbo described the governor as a man who always his promises.

    He said: “His Excellency is a realist in the sense that whatever he says, he does. We were having a prayer programme for him during the elections. He attended and was prayed for. He promised that if he won the election, I would be one of his SAs. He has kept to his promise, as I am the first on the list of those he appointed, not just as an SA but an SSA. He elevated me.

    “I thank God because it is His doing, not my design. God makes and crowns kings, and it is He who made the governor to give me this appointment. I didn’t do anything to deserve it, but I know He will give me the wisdom and enablement to discharge my duties as expected from the governor. I promise not to disappoint him and Deltans.”

    INYA’s Legal Adviser Ofremu John congratulated Okowa on his birthday.

    He hailed the governor for appointing Egbo as his SSA.

    “This is a novelty. Ordinarily, people print T-shirts and hold elaborate parties. But what we did is to go to the church to say ‘thank you’ to God for all His mercies and holding the virtues of the governor.”

     

     

  • N636b debt: Protesters urge Okowa to name culprits

    N636b debt: Protesters urge Okowa to name culprits

    There was a protest yesterday in Warri, Delta State,  following

    the alleged N637 billion debt profile former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan allegedly left behind.

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa recently spoke on the huge debt his successor left behind.

    The governor urged the residents to prepare for hard times.

    But the protesters, under the auspices of Graduates of the Niger Delta (GAND), slammed Okowa for allegedly revealing half-truth about the state’s debt profile and those behind it.

    GAND’s President Progress Omo-Agege said Okowa and his kinsmen, Prince Sam Obi, who was acting governor for three months, should be investigated with previous administrations to ascertain those behind the huge debt profile.

    The spokesman claimed that under Obi – who was in office between November 2010, when Uduaghan was sacked by an Appeal Court, and January 2011, when an election was held – the state incurred about N100 billion debt.

    He urged Okowa to make more revelations on the true financial record of Delta State.

    Omo-Agege said the group’s interest was to ensure that the state’s misappropriated funds were refunded without shielding anyone.

    The group, which comprises various ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, urged President Muhammudu Buhari “to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on Delta State to ensure that those behind the debt are brought to book”.

    It said the governor was being economical with the truth when he blamed Uduaghan for the debt profile.

     

     

     

     

  • APC: Okowa part of Delta financial crisis

    APC: Okowa part of Delta financial crisis

    The governor of Delta state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, was very much a very important part of the system that had in the last 16 years worked to put the state in the path of its current economic crisis, the All Progressives’ Party (APC) has alleged.

    The APC, in a statement issued by its Media Adviser in Delta state, Dr Martins Mukoro, warned the people of the state not to get carried away by the governor’s recent alarm over the huge indebtedness currently borne by the state, describing it as mere “playing to the gallery”.

    The party described as embarrassing and an  insult to the sensibility of Deltans , Dr Okowa’s attempt to ‘shed crocodile tears’ over the huge debt profile of the state  totalling over 600 billion naira, which his  predecessor left behind.

    According to the party, Okowa was merely setting the stage by crying wolf to divert attention and in order to lay the foundation for him to go borrowing more money, thereby plunging the state into a deeper financial disaster.

    The APC recalled having earlier forewarned Deltans, during the  campaigns,  that Okowa represents NO CHANGE but more of the SAME of PDP’s 16 years of mis- rule.

    “From Gov Okowa’s days as Commissioner, multiple times under Gov Ibori to his days as the Secretary to the  Government under Gov Uduaghan  that accumulated these debts , he has no moral excuse to attempt to distance himself as if he was an onlooker or bystander while the  state was being wrecked!

    “Okowa was not an on- looker but a key participant and a major co-conspirator in wrecking the finances and Economy of Delta State and he is in no position to rescue Delta from the mess created by him and the past Pdp Administrations.

    “If indeed Gov Okowa insist he has been an on-looker and truly expect deltans to believe he was not party to the financial rot, let him immediately and urgently institute a panel to probe the huge debt overhang in order to unearth how it was accumulated and who were the beneficiaries of the massive plundering of our commonwealth! Until then, Gov Okowa can’t pull wool over our eyes”, the statement added.

    The party urged all Deltans to brace up for the change that has been delayed and be ready to  seize the opportunity of the expected re-run that may soon be ordered by the ongoing elections tribunal to support the APC at all levels to effect the desired change that will bring relief,  a breath of fresh air and freedom from a political dynasty of corruption in Delta State, the statement ended.

  • Delta is broke, says Okowa

    Delta is broke, says Okowa

    Delta State is broke, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said yesterday.

    The governor spoke in Asaba, the state capital, at a briefing with lawmakers on the state’s financial status.

    Giving statistics on the state’s debt profile, Okowa said Delta would need to run a monthly deficit of “about N2 billion and would need to borrow to pay salaries and finance the running cost of government”.

    With N637.2 billion owed to commercial banks and outstanding contractual obligations, the Okowa administration called for belt tightening and understanding among residents.

    The governor said Delta was owing commercial banks N98.62 billion (principal sum) and outstanding contractual obligation of N538,601,421.50.

    He said in 2011, the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration took a N50 billion facility from the bond market with a repayment period of seven years in 84 instalments at N1.098 billion each month.

    According to him, the facility would terminate in September 2018 with 40 more instalments (totalling N43.92 billion) with effect from this month.

    Okowa recalled that in November 2014, Delta State guaranteed some contractors with the issuance of an Irrevocable Standing Payment Order (ISPO) of N2.23 billion monthly for which the contractors had received N40 billion.

    Okowa said having paid four instalments, the state has 20 more monthly instalments of N44.60, which would extend through 2017.

    The governor said the state had an outstanding overdraft facility of N19 billion and N715 million with Zenith Bank Plc of N19 billion and N715 million.

    He said other smaller loan and overdrafts, totalling N2 billion, are yet to be paid.

    Okowa said with effect from June to March 2017, after a deduction of N4.60 billion from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts, the state would draw a meagre N3.4 billion, assuming the FAAC allocation stays at N8.03 billion.

    With receipts from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) at N2.0 billion monthly, the governor noted that the funds available to run the state is N5.40 billion monthly.

    He regretted that with 60,000 workers and a wage bill of N7,437,940,015.38, the N5.4 billion balance is insufficient to offset the wage bill, let alone fund overheads or capital projects.

    Okowa urged the House of Assembly to review this year’s budget of N409 billion, adding: “It is no longer realistic in the wake of current realities.”

    The governor said his administration had been “hard put to pay workers’ salaries; Ministries, Department, and Agencies (MDAs) have been running at half steam due to the inability of state to provide money for their operations”.