By Austin Ogwuda
DELTA State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori says his administration is very much aware of the hardship currently being experienced in commuting especially the civil servants to and from work and has decided to flood the cities with mass transit buses.
Recall that during former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan tenure such buses popularly called ‘Uduaghan Bus’ christenined after the then Governor assisted a lot as civil servants including school children and other Deltans were commuting at reduced fares.
With the reintroduction of such mass transit system, which The Townhall in previous news analysis, has consistently highlighted the importance even before the Okada ban, it will now be nicknamed ‘Oborevwori Bus’.
Governor Oborevwori dropped the hint while receiving the Forum of Female Permanent Secretaries in the State, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr (Mrs) Mininie Oseji on a courtesy call at Government House Asaba, Tuesday.
Said the governor, “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 stated.
The governor further remarked that the ban on motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, for commercial transportation has resulted to a noticeable reduction in crime rate in Asaba and its environs.
He said he was impressed with the performance of the Permanent Secretaries in their offices and charged them to continue to put in their best in helping to drive his MORE agenda.
Governor Oborevwori said no effort would be spared in creating a conducive work environment for civil servants to operat apart from giving them platforms to be trained and retrained for maximum productivity.
“The State”, he went on “has done well in creating a balance in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries; so far the State has 23 male and 17 female Permanent Secretaries and assured them of continued synergy in the realisation of set goals.
Earlier, Mrs 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 Governor Oborevwori for his people-centred projects executed across the state including provision of official cars for serving Permanent Secretaries in the State.
Mrs Oseji described Oborevwori as a role model for his evident transparent and prudent management of funds and pledged that they would follow his footsteps.
She appealed to the Governor to revisit the plan for the provision of accommodation for serving Permanent Secretaries, adding that what they have currently was inadequate for the number of Permanent Secretaries.
Photo caption: Delta Governor, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori (left) being presented with a congratulatory card on his successful and impactful one year in office by the Chairman, Forum of female Permanent Secretaries in the State Public Service,
and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Mrs Minnie Oseji when she led the group on a courtesy visit to the Governor on Tuesday.
Pix: JIBUNOR SAMUEL
