BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
DELTA State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, July 9, said the ban on motorcycle, popularly known as okada, as a means of commercial transportation, has led to a noticeable reduction in crime rate in Asaba and its environs.
Oborevwori, who stated this while receiving on courtesy call, the Forum of Female Permanent Secretaries in the state, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Mininie Oseji, said he was impressed with the performance of the permanent secretaries in their offices, charging them to continue to put in their best in driving his MORE agenda.
The governor said no effort would be spared in creating a conducive work environment for civil servants to operate, apart from providing platforms for them to be trained and retrained for maximum productivity.
He said the state has done well in creating a balance in the appointment of permanent secretaries, pointing out that so far, the state has 23 male and 17 female permanent secretaries, assuring them of continued synergy in the realisation of set goals.
“We are trying our best to ensure that our civil servants live a very good life even after retirement. On the issue of mass transit in Asaba and Warri, we actually need it now that people are clamouring that there should be no okada in Asaba.
“Since the ban on okada in Asaba and its environs, the crime rate has reduced. Initially, I was reluctant, but today, we thank God for the decision, because it is paying off.
“We will think of the best solution to provide mass transportation for Deltans, especially the civil servants, to go to work.”
He, however, said the government was being careful to avoid wasting state’s resources.
On the request for training, Oborevwori said he believed in training and retraining, adding that he would approve it once it was justified.
Earlier, Oseji said the Forum was established in October 2021 to provide a platform for female permanent secretaries to discuss matters of common concern and interests, among others.
She commended the governor for his people-oriented projects executed across the state, including provision of official cars for serving permanent secretaries in the state.
Oseji commended Oborevwori’s transparent and prudent management of public funds, pledging that the permanent secretaries would follow his footsteps.
She appealed to the governor to revisit the provision of accommodation for serving permanent secretaries, as what what is currently available is inadequate for the number of permanent secretaries.
