By Augustine Avwode

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 person than Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa,  whose passion is how to ensure that his fellow Deltans, irrespective of differences in ethnicity, gender, faith, geographical location and political persuasion, live a good  life.

Okowa

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 appeal of Okowa’s SMART agenda can be located in the way the 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 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  overwhelmingly voted for the opportunity for this new song of hope to be sung with greater fervor and intensity across the state.

As we speak, the administration has unveiled six entrepreneurship schemes to create 6,000 direct jobs in the next six months.   The 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.

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

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

Regrettably, some  self centered individuals benefitting from the skewed arrangement in DESOPADEC have gone to great length to discredit an otherwise laudable and timely intervention. 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 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 Okowa’s line of action on DESOPADEC as having a “hidden agenda”, the governor, again, explained his motives to revered traditional rulers from Delta Central, last week, during a courtesy visit to him at Government House, Asaba. His words:

“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”.

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

Okowa has left no one in doubt about 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.

A focused, painstaking and far-sighted pan-Deltan, Okowa couldn’t have emerged as the Governor of Delta at a better time. For a man who has superintended three different ministries in the state as  commissioner; functioned as the Secretary to State Government (SSG) and has also represented the good people of Delta North as senator 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.

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 is media aide to Governor Okowa.