Pix: Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (left) and Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, during a courtesy call to the Governor, by Okowa transition Committee members.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has called for seamless transition process in governance to enhance growth and development in the country.
Speaking Tuesday at Asaba when he played host to the Transition Committee set up by the State Governor Elect, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Uduaghan said that transition from one government to another was supposed to be a smooth and frictionless process between the out-going and in-coming government so as to ensure continuous growth since governance is a continuum.
He decried the rancour noticed in the transition Process at the Federal Level and in some States, commended the harmony in the transition process in Delta State as a shining example in the country stating that “Delta State can showcase to the world what transition should be, it has been going on very smoothly, it can be done without friction and rancor. It should be emulated by everybody throughout the country“
The Governor advised the committee chaired by Prof Sam Oyovbaire to devise ways of reducing the huge wage bill vis-à-vis dwindling resources explaining that the issue of ghost workers still persisted despite all efforts to check it.
“As you are aware the revenue of the country is dwindling with a lot of states unable to pay salaries, you need to devise ways and means to ensure that the wage bill is authentic and manageable. We have been trying to deal with the issue of ghost workers in the state, presently we are doing both biometric and payroll automation system to check not only ghost workers but absentee workers, this l believe will help reduce the wage bill.’’ , Dr, Uduaghan said.
Continuing he said: “l want to also bring to your attention that there are some new tractors that we just bought for Ministry of Agriculture, and vehicles for Environmental Marshals in the Ministry of Environment and other vehicles. I have told the Commissioners that the Ministries should properly document and handover these equipments intact to the in-coming government. Please ensure that you take note of these equipments in the course of your documentation.’’
The Governor commended members of the Committee for the work they have been doing and urged Peoples Democratic Party Members to be patient with the Governor-Elect in the process of appointment adding: “l know expectations are high but we have to be very patient and be loyal party members.”
Earlier Prof Oyovbaire, informed the Governor that the Committee was in Government House to brainstorm with him and share a few ideas on the transition process.
He commended the smooth transition process in the state especially the co-operation of the Ministries, Directorate and Agencies (MDA’s) in providing the needed information.