The Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) Delta State Chapter has congratulated the State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the state civil servants and Deltans on the inauguration of the newly completed multi-billion naira State Secretariat Complex and the 8.5 Megawats Independent Power Project (IPP) both in Asaba by Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo today Monday 29th November, 2021.
In a statement made available to Journalists in Asaba, IPAC state Chairman Comrade Emeka Umerah Bidokwu, said the initiation and completion of the ultra modern multi-billion naira State Secretariat Complex named after the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Professor Obi Chike Edozien has addressed one of the financial burdens of government expedenture on rented offices for ministries and agencies since the creation of state, 1991.
Comrade Emeka Bidokwu who doubled as the State Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) extolled the visionary and pragmatic steps taken by the governor to remove 27 ministries, MDAs and staff from rented offices across the state capital.
“The state would save hundreds of millions of naira spent annually in renting offices while the coordination and synergy among MDAs would be enhanced, leading to higher morale, better time management, efficiency and greater productivity”
He noted that irrespective of political affiliations, this legacy project of Governor Okowa has further x-rayed his quest to make working environment condusive for civil servants in the state.
Bidokwu further observed that despite the turbulence that plagued the economy since 2017 and worsened by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing major financial setbacks in infrastructural and human capital development across the world, the Governor deserves some aculades for putting Delta workers first.
“This historical building and monument would provide the state’s workforce with a functional building and environment that would bring out the best in them. Staff will be motivated to put in their best.
The Delta IPAC Chairman Comrade Bidokwu however urged the staff to strive to keep the edifice in excellent condition always.
“The narrative of poor maintenance culture that has bedeviled the civil service must give way to a sense-of-ownership, complemented by decency and responsibility.
On the 8.5 Megawatts Asaba Independent Power Plant, comrade Bidokwu said this gesture would also provide the Secretariat and other government offices uninterrupted electricity supply to aide effective service delivery.
On the naming of the ultra modern multi-million naira after one of Delta State’s and indeed, Nigeria’s great and illustrious sons, His Royal Majesty, Professor Obi Chike Edozien, the Asagba of Asaba said it’s well deserved because of his contribution to national development.