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Political office holders, elected representatives, Local Government Council Chairmen and Philanthropists in Delta State have been urged to henceforth adopt enduring and result-oriented poverty alleviation strategies rather than mere provision of motorbikes and Keke for constituents and members of their various communities.
Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa made the call while addressing participants at the maiden edition of Ika Economic Forum put together by Ika Village Square (IVS), a vibrant socio-economic and political pressure group in Ika Nation.
Executive Assistant on Communication to Delta State Governor, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe quoted Okowa as saying that in order to achieve a prosperous Delta; philanthropists, public office holders, local government council chairmen, political appointees, corporate citizens and other categories of persons partnering with government towards the attainment of a virile economy must adopt a paradigm shift from mere distribution of motorbikes and tricycles (Keke) to their constituents because of its temporary potency in poverty control and eradication in a recessed economy.
“Let me use the opportunity offered by this unique summit to appeal to us that it is no longer the best option to distribute commercial motorbikes and keke to our people. Rather, our constituents need long-term economic benefits which can be made possible through vocational and specialised skills training and acquisition.
“Keke and motorbikes may either be stolen or sold and in that case, the beneficiary is back to zero level. It is, therefore, more reasonable to sponsor vocational training and skills acquisition for our youths and women and thereafter empower them further by providing start-up funds, equipment or tools needed so as to become self-employed and in the same token to enable them to employ and train others.
“Henceforth, I may not attend empowerment programmes where keke and commercial bikes are to be distributed. We need to take positive and proactive steps in getting our people out of poverty and create an atmosphere of a strong and virile economy that truly guarantees Prosperity For All Deltans, going forward.
“The ongoing Youth Agriculture and Skills Training Entrepreneurship Programmes (YAGEP AND STEP) are deliberately tailored towards growing Delta State economy and to raise millions of young successful entrepreneurs who will in turn trend the progressive chain of the socio-economic boom in the state.
“It is therefore very important that our people must remain as the major focus of this administration and in that vein, it is only long term self-sustaining and progressive empowerment strategies and programmes that is good enough for the good people of Delta State. Distribution of Keke and commercial motorbikes may no longer conjure my attention, going forward.”
Gov Okowa also used the occasion to advise parents to closely monitor the activities of their children and provide the much needed moral instructions as candid and proactive measures to curb moral decadence especially cultism which, he identified, as a major problem in nation building in the 21st century.
He offered to be enlisted as a member of the prestigious Ika Village Square and urged the IVF executives to henceforth convey quarterly appraisal meetings to evaluate and implement socio-economic programmes of the organisation and decisions reached the Ika Economic Summit.
Participants and facilitators at the summit include: Distinguished Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Major-General Leo Irabor who spoke brilliantly on the role of effective security measures in a growing economy, Prof Eric Eboh, Chief Job Creation Officer in Delta State.
Others are; the Secretary to Delta State Government, Hon Festus Ovie Agas, Hon Commissioner for Economic Planning and that of Ministry of Information, Dr Kingsley Emu and Hon Patrick Ukah, Sir Tony Chucks Obuh, Principal Secretary to Governor of Delta State, Hilary Obi Ibegbulem, Representative of CBN Governor, Traditional Rulers, some members of Delta State Executive Council, Captains of Industry, Politicians and personal aides of the governor.
