Governor Okowa Is An Astute Manager Of Resources
By Dr. Festus Goziem Okubor.
This is election season and the moment for unscrupulous politicians to throw brickbats and engage in callous mudslinging to tarnish formidable honour and unassailable integrity that took years to build. Civilized and mature politics demands that decency should be the rule of the game. When politicians and public officeholders go out of their way to concoct lies and distort facts in order to score cheap political points and transient popularity, then they are not only assailing the public good and public interest, but poisoning the watershed of the political ideal which derives from information and enlightenment. As we prepare and look forward with hope to the consolidation of our democratic experience with the general elections of 2023, some mischief makers who have seen clearly that their political aspirations have been rejected by the people have resorted to spinning and spewing lies of slanderous proportions into the public space. This intervention is a response to one of such deliberate lies. And there should be honour, integrity, and dignity in politics. Men of honour, integrity, and dignity do not lie. So, these characters that chanced on our political space lack these three elements which are desired in building stable societies “where peace and justice reign”.
The latest preoccupation of disgruntled leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State is to peddle lies in order to discredit the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, and clothe him in the robe of a poor manager of resources who squandered allocations to Delta State under his watch. Those who know Governor Okowa will attest to his nobility of mind. Even those currently accusing him falsely know that Governor Okowa is a man of uncommon mettle whose sandals they are not worthy to undo in saner climes as they ought to be cooling off in jail for the many crimes they committed against the State from stealing from the State treasury, extorting contractors and collecting money for ghost and unexecuted projects and for mace snatching. Certainly, public memory is not short and the internet never forgets. Those falsely accusing the highly respected Governor Okowa should google their names and that of the beloved Governor and they will see the infamous narratives around their names in contrast to the nobility of spirit of the amiable Governor.
The ongoing smear campaign was triggered off by the incoherent story by attention-seeking Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State that President Muhammadu Buhari released monies accruing from deductions from the 13% derivation funds and that the infrastructural achievements of his Government were made possible by the money President Buhari paid. Well, nobody needs to be told that Wike has become a sore loser and a weeping baby. The questions people should ask Wike are: when was the money released? Why did he not tell Nigerians when the money was paid? Why is he just telling them now? Wike is an advocate of bad politics which is unhealthy for the polity. His new activism without definition, boundary, or ideology is a product of the fact that he was beaten during the PDP Presidential Primary and furthermore, he lost woefully to the noble Governor Okowa of Delta State. Wike is fighting his homestead and people. He is bound to lose because no man ever wins against his people. The fact that none of the other five South-South Governors associates with Wike points to the truth that he has been rejected at home.
The rabidly desperate promoters of the Wike bad belle narrative are Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Adams Oshiomhole, and their BANDits of political desperadoes wanting to push Delta to the EDGE of disaster. What the duo and their minions are pushing into the public space is the narrative that Governor Okowa squandered 250 Billion naira accruing from the 13% derivation fund released by President Buhari. In their unthinking nature they pointed at the flyovers built by Wike in Port-Harcourt, take note, in Port-Harcourt and not any other part of Rivers State, and asked Governor Okowa what he did with the money accruing to Delta State. Their query could be as a result of crass ignorance or deliberate mischief to mislead the public and score cheap points. These are certainly not the hallmarks of altruistic politicians or Statesmen. Altruism is never desperate as the men have chosen to be. Governor Okowa remains an astute manager of men and resources. The fact that he does not mount the rooftop to announce with multiple megaphones the number of projects he has executed does not diminish his monumental and unsurpassed achievements as a Governor.
The truth with Delta State is that about 340 Billion Naira is accruable to it, but it has not been earned. The refund they are talking about is 292 Billion Naira and the Federal Government promised to pay in sixty installments. This was why the State requested a drawdown of 150 Billion Naira and only =N=30 Billion was recently drawn. So the talk about the hefty sum of 250 billion being mismanaged by Governor Okowa is a concocted political lie.
Only an ignorant or mischievous fellow will compare Delta State with Rivers State in terms of infrastructure development and spread. Rivers State is 55 years old, while Delta is just 31. It means that Rivers State ought to have more infrastructure. But let us compare. Delta State has about thirty-one urban centres, the highest in any State in Nigeria. Rivers State has only Port-Harcourt which is where all the flyovers Agege and Oshiomhole are drooling over are located. Whatever development going on in Bonny Island is by Joint Venture, and Rivers State Government refused to meet its obligation. Delta State Government under Governor Okowa has constructed 1,905 kilometres of roads and 1,035 kilometres of drains. Delta State is Nigeria’s frontrunner in human capital development, 14,075 youth entrepreneurs have emerged, and over 223,000 employments created with about 1.3 million indirect jobs. Delta State is number one in Contributory Healthcare Scheme with more than 1.2 million enrolled. The State has four Universities and seven other tertiary institutions, the highest by any State in Nigeria. Roads have been built in the riverine communities for the first time and there are 16 bridges under constriction with 6 others completed. The bridges are ambitious and cost-intensive projects that will link the riverine communities with the world.
The list of projects executed by Governor Okowa’s administration will show the even distribution across the length and breadth of the State. There is a deliberate integration of urban and rural communities so that all Deltans will feel a sense of belonging. Were Governor Okowa to concentrate all the State’s resources in developing only Asaba, then the city would have overtaken Dubai or New York in beauty. Governor Okowa is conscious of his place as Governor of all and not a sectional leader like the Orhomuru-Orogun Senator who took all the projects meant for the entire Urhobo nation of twenty-four clans to his miniature sub-community of Orhomuru-Orogun.
Those calling out Governor Okowa should step out to be audited as public officeholders. Senator Omo-Agege’s time as Commissioner and Secretary to the State Government was financially disastrous for Delta State. His house became a Central Bank where cooks made away with Ghana-must-go bags of money. His Orogun people will not forget how he extorted contractors and collected money for forty-eight projects that he didn’t execute. There were monies for hundreds of projects across the State that he seized using the Tenders’ Board. He thinks the people have forgotten. Is this the man wanting to be Governor? The mace incident and his recruitment as a servant of the caliphate with him a Chief kneeling to thank Buhari remains repulsive to his people. As for Adams Oshiomhole, he left Edo State in massive debt and destroyed the entire fabric of Government. Governor Obaseki is still working to fix the catastrophe that Oshiomhole turned Edo State into. How he ran down the APC and embarrassed the nation before he was disgraced out of office is still fresh in our memory. Are these the men who should call out Governor Okowa on account of probity? Not at all. They lack what it takes. The public, especially Deltans, should discountenance the ranting of Agege and Oshiomhole. They are raving in frustration as they are bound to have their day in the court of public morality.
WIKE PRESENTS RIVERS’ N550.6 BILLION BUDGET FOR 2023
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has presented the 2023 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly for consideration.
The governor, who christened the 2023 appropriation bill, ‘Budget of Consolidation and Continuity’ said it comprises capital and recurrent expenditure of N550, 666,987,238.00 for the fiscal year 2023.
Presenting the budget before State lawmakers on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, he explained that his administration has projected the sum of ₦350,977,495,537.00 as Capital Expenditure for the fiscal year 2023.
“This amount represents about 63.2% of the total budget and conforms to our practice of prioritising capital expenditures over recurrent.”
Under capital expenditure, governor Wike said the State will spend N114,264,480,208 on infrastructure, N36,999,486,717 specifically on education and N31,500,002,023 on health.
“Accordingly, the sum of N114,264,480,208 is provided in the 2023 capital budget estimate to fund the completion of all ongoing roads and other physical infrastructural projects awarded by our administration.”
In the 2023 budget proposal, governor Wike said his administration has also proposed a Recurrent Expenditure of N175,249,692,497à, representing about 31% of the total budget for the 2023 fiscal year.
The governor explained that in 2023 the State will expend N73,460,278,307 on salaries (Ministries/Departments/Parastatals), N7,758,772,851 on new recruitment, N33,600,000,000 on monthly pensions as well as N12,000,000,000 on gratuities/death benefits.
Governor Wike said the fiscal year 2023 budget is targeted at delivering economic growth, additional infrastructure and prosperity for citizens.
He stated that while no new projects may be awarded, except where such is considered very significant, the administration shall galvanise efforts and resources to complete all ongoing projects so that the new government can start on a clean slate, unencumbered.
The governor said in 2021 and 2022, the State government introduced several fiscal measures, including a moratorium on external borrowing to achieve economic growth, fiscal discipline and financial consolidation.
These measures, according to him, have significantly blocked revenue leakages, improved the State capacity for internal revenue generation and prevented unsustainable deficit financing.
“We have, therefore, resolved to continue with the existing fiscal measures for the year 2023. This means that there would be no increase in tax rates. No new taxes will also be introduced.
“However, we will continue to intensify our drive to significantly improve IGR by expanding opportunities for more investments, industrialization and efficient tax collection.”
The governor disclosed that the State remains determined to reduce its dependence on statutory federal allocations to finance its budget and development. To this end, he urged other sister States to join Rivers in the struggle to secure the right to impose and collect VAT at the sub-national level.
Reviewing the 2022 budget performance, governor Wike narrated that the approved total budget of the State was N420, 485,053,736.00 only.
He disclosed that by the end of October 2022, total revenue receipts of the State stood at N321, 250,781,228.91, only about 70% performance. While, the total receipts from internally generated revenue (IGR) was N112.099 billion. This, according to him, represents 25% performance above the figure of 2021 for the same period but over 50% less than the projected sum for 2022.
“The shortfall in IGR is attributed to our inability to collect the projected proceeds from value-added tax following the stay of execution ordered by the Court of Appeal, which we have appealed to the Supreme Court.
“Furthermore, augmentation from the Federal Government accounts for the nominal increase recorded in the allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). In other words, the 2022 budget performance did not also meet projected receipts from FAAC.
“Nevertheless, the aggregate performance of the budget on the revenue side stood at over 90% at the end of October 2022.”
Governor Wike revealed that the sum of N5 billion has been proposed under Special Projects to introduce and fund a free feeding programme for pupils in State primary schools to increase and sustain enrolments and reduce poverty.
He said the State has further provided N4 billion under Special Projects to fund free medical care for nursing mothers and children for the fiscal year 2023.
The Rivers State governor said although this is the last lap of his tenure, the administration is resolved to continue to advance Rivers development and secure its future.
“We are therefore poised to use the 2023 budget to deliver more transformative infrastructure and other strategic projects and services and move our dear State closer to the point of self-sustainability.”
The Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani, noted that governor Wike has through prudent allocation of resources put in place a roadmap for the development of the State.
Ibani, who commended the governor for his achievements in the past seven years, noted that his numerous infrastructural projects will positively impact on the development of the State in future.
November 22, 2022
PRESS RELEASE:
LIRS Boss Bags Innovative CEO of The Year Award, Promises to Sustain Tax Revolution in Lagos State
The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Ayodele Subair has been conferred with the Most Innovative CEO of The Year Award 2022 by the New Telegraph Awards 2022.
The award ceremony, held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, on Friday, had in attendance several other awardees and dignitaries, including the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, honoured with the Statesman of the Year Award, All Progress Congress Presidential Flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, PDP Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who both bagged Lifetime Achievement Award and Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who went home with the Governor of the Year(Education), among others.
The organisers of the awards, The New Telegraph Newspapers, explained that Subair was honoured for his landmark strides since he became the LIRS Executive Chairman in 2016, as he has been able to implement strategic innovations as well as double the initial revenue generation from N240bn to N427bn with his astute knowledge and experience in Accounting and Taxation.
Driving the tax revolution at the LIRS, other Subair’s achievements, according to the newspaper, include the introduction of eTax in 2019, the launching of the whistleblowing initiative (2022), staff reforms and welfare upgrade (from 2017 till date), the introduction of the IBILE HUB Initiative (2021), Technology driven Operational Reforms in LIRS formed in 2022, where an Intelligent Unit- a team of undercover administration specially trained in information gathering and intelligence reports to provide information on all taxpayers in Lagos State and to ensure the agency has adequate information for appropriate profiling to expose tax defaulters.
Others include the establishment of the LIRS Service Charter (2021), the introduction of Automation of collection of consumption taxes (2017-2018), the inauguration of the Joint State Revenue Committee (JSRC) in 2021 as well as becoming the agency with the Highest Generated Revenue amid Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
While receiving the award, the LIRS boss, who was accompanied by some of the agency’s directors, expressed gratitude to the management of New Telegraph for recognising LIRS for the efforts it has been making in driving the State’s revenue generation under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration.
Subair said: “I want to say a very big thank you to the organizers of this great award, including the publisher and management of New Telegraph. “I want to say thank you for recognizing LIRS as being the most innovative and very strategic agency. We know we have to be on top of our game so that we can generate enough revenue for this wonderful state.”
Speaking further, the astute Tax administrator noted: “I am very happy to receive this award. It is the recognition of all the hard work we’ve been doing at the LIRS. This award encourages us to strive to improve our innovation. The LIRS is hinged on technology, and anybody who wants to make any headway in tax administration has to embrace technology. So, it’s our joy that we are being duly recognized as the foremost agency in that direction.
“I dedicate this award to my late father, Engr. Abiodun Subair, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who always says yes to our wish list. I also want to dedicate the award to my family, to all directors and management staff of LIRS who are here to support me tonight and very importantly, to all staff of LIRS that have stayed committed to our strategic objectives.”
Speaking on what to expect from the agency shortly, Subair noted; “As for me, when you talk about figures, I want to ensure that we continue to double our numbers so that we have enough funding to sustain the development of our dear State.
Among the directors, who accompanied the LIRS chairman to receive the award included LIRS Board Secretary, Mr Owolabi Kamson, Director, Admin and HR, Arinola Kola-Daisi, Director, Legal, Seyi Alade, Assistant Director, IT, Rasheed Olu-Ajayi, Assistant Director, Relationship Management Unit, RMU, Mr Tunji Osuntokun and Head Corporate Affairs, Monsurat Amasa. #End
PRESS RELEASE
LAGOS MARKET LEADERS MEET SANWO-OLU, PLEDGE SUPPORT FOR APC
- Governor approves business grant for 100 traders in each market
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended his ongoing political consultation to markets and community of traders across the State.
The Governor, on Tuesday, met with all market leaders in Lagos under the aegis of Association of Commodity Market Women and Men of Nigeria. The meeting was held at the Alausa residence of their President-General, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo.
It was the second time in three months Sanwo-Olu would be meeting with the market leaders. The Governor was accompanied by Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Special Adviser on Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Bolaji Roberts, All Progressives Congress (APC) State chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, and Director General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Sen. Ganiyu Solomon.
Sanwo-Olu, who described marketers as “important stakeholders” in the governance of the State, said the visit was part of his wide consultation ahead of the general elections, noting that the interaction with traders in the informal sector was strategic in reaching out to the grassroots.
The Governor reassured the market leaders of his administration’s commitment to their well-being and asked for their full cooperation as to their support for the APC in the coming elections.
He said: “Market leaders and their members are important stakeholders in the governance of Lagos. We interact with them from time to time and consult them on issues concerning growth of our markets. Today, we have come here to thank them for the support they have continued to give our Government and to encourage them to continue to be loyal citizens of the State.
“This venue has been a strategic meetinghouse for discussion with market leaders on socio-political issues. It was from this same house that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu left and was sworn in as the Governor of Lagos in 1999. Since then, this edifice has been the spot of convergence for all the market leadership in Lagos. The visit today is to reassure market men and women about our commitment to their well-being and to ensure we have their full cooperation as to their support for the progressives party.”
Sanwo-Olu told the traders that the Government had hastened up ongoing work to complete all the markets currently being constructed.
The Governor announced continuation of credit grants to 100 micro and small businesses in each market across the State, stressing that the intervention had empowered many women and low-income households to meet their needs.
Sanwo-Olu took the opportunity to share the benefits of good governance reaped by the State in education, transportation and health, among others, noting that his administration’s programmes were aimed at improving the lives of residents, regardless of their incomes and status.
The Governor said: “We are in the season of politics and we consider it necessary to meet with our people in the market and solicit for your support in the forthcoming general elections, especially for our presidential candidate, governorship candidate and other positions our party is vying.
“This is an important step, you are part of the crop of people that diligently wait at the polling booths to cast votes for our party. We cannot take you for granted, despite having new people in the electoral register. We need to engage and talk to you about our plans. In this case, we are seeking their support for all our candidates in general.”
The traders, in the course of the discussion, raised issues affecting them and advised the State Government on possible areas of improvement and collaboration.
Iyaloja-General, Tinubu-Ojo, assured the Governor of market leaders’ continued support for the party, pledging to mobilise members of their households and communities to vote en masse for APC in the State and at the federal election.
SIGNED
GBOYEGA AKOSILE
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
22 NOVEMBER 2022
