Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 inaugurated Hon. Daniel Odinigwe Odigie, PhD, along with 25 others as commissioners and members of the State Executive Council.
Governor Oborevwori who was with the wife, Deaconess Tobore, performed the swearing in of the Commissioners in a colourful ceremony held at the Delta State Event Centre.
It was attended by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monday Onyeme and the Wife, Former Governor of the State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghen and the wife, former Deputy Governors of the State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro and Chief Benjamin Elue as well as the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
The swearing in of the Commissioners was sequel to their screening and confirmation of their nomination by the State House of Assembly, in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
Among the newly inaugurated Commissioners was the former Commissioner of Information in the State, Mr. Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, former Commissioner of Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije and Orode Uduaghan, the Daughter of the former Governor of the State.
Hon. Daniel Odinigwe Odigie, 41, a former Executive Assistant to the Governor on ICT, was sworn in as the State Commissioner for Science and Technology.
In his address, Governor Oborevwori charged Hon. Daniel Odinigwe Odigie and others to discharged their duties in the overall interest of the people and said that every appointment was based on merit, competence and the ability to think outside the box.
He called on those who did not make the list not to be discouraged, reminding them that if it is not their time today, it might be their turn tomorrow.
He said his MORE agenda will advance Deltans through inclusive and sustainable economic growth and private sector job creation, human capital development built on enabling infrastructure and improving governance and accountability systems for improved service delivery.
To cushion the effects of the subsidy removal and the downward trend of the Naira against the Dollar, the Governor said, he has approved the payment of Ten Thousand Naira each for 50, 196 workers in the State public service for the next three months starting from this Month of August.
The Governor said he has approved workers on grade levels 1 to 14 to run shifts, adding that the first batch would work from Monday to Wednesday while the second batch would work from Thursday to Friday.
He said the schedule would be implemented on a rotational basis.
Governor Oborevwori said the schedule for officers on salary grade levels 15 and above will be worked out by the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The Governor said he has consulted with the leadership of ALGON to roll out their own palliatives to its workforce.
He said: “As you are aware, local government workers are not under the administration of the state. However, we have held consultations with the leadership of ALGON and it is our earnest expectation that ALGON will implement the same palliative measures for its workers”.
He reiterated his call on elected officials and political appointees to be their brother’s keeper given the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
The Governor said: “Consistent with my pledge to be Governor for all, I have constituted a committee headed by the SSG and other stakeholders including labour to work out palliatives that will cover the following segments of the population, namely; People Living with Disabilities (PwDs); Widows; Poor and vulnerable households that do not belong to the above categories; and the aged.
“I expect us to roll out palliatives for these categories of people as soon as the committee submits its report. Meanwhile, the committee is also looking at the possibility of the state government acquiring electric vehicles for public transportation.
“The committee has equally been mandated to initiate the process of converting the existing Tricycle (popularly known as keke) assembly plant in Asaba into a dual-purpose factory that will be able to produce gas-powered keke, in addition to those running on petrol. If this is done, it should significantly drive down the cost of transportation”.
He said his administration would soon bring the thorny issue of unpaid local government pensions to a final resolution.
The event was also attended by critical leaders in the State that included Chief Nkem Okwuofu and Chief Great Ogboru amongst others
Hon. Daniel Odinigwe Odigie later hosted his guests that included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor. to a grand reception at the Southern End Event Centre, Dbs road, Asaba.
In a chat with cshowcasenews.com, Hon. Daniel Odinigwe Odigie thanked the Governor for finding him worthy to serve and pledged to work with other members of the State Executive Council to translate the MORE Agenda of the State Governor into reality for the overall benefit of the people of Delta State.
