Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has charged his political appointees to drive the state’s economic growth and institutional reforms, in line with the strategic objectives of his development mantra – ‘The M.O.R.E Agenda’.
Oborevwori gave the charge while swearing-in Mr Sebastian Okoh, as the Managing Director, Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESAA), and Chief Stanley Kakor, Director-General, Delta State Local Content Agency in Asaba.
He expressed confidence in their ability to justify the trust reposed in them through their appointments.
He said the appointments were another significant step in his administration’s determination to build a strong, diversified, and resilient economy for the state.
Oborevwori said that DESAA, established by the Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law, 2015, and the Delta State Local Content Agency, established in 2020, are critical institutions for the growth and expansion of the state’s economy.
According to him, DESAA is mandated to control, regulate, monitor, and inspect all outdoor structures and platforms used for signage and advertisements to ensure compliance with the law.
He said that the state remained a major hub in outdoor advertising, given it’s strategic location within the southern economic corridor.
He said that DESAA’s operations would be vital in curbing visual pollution caused by the indiscriminate erection of outdoor advertisements.
He expressed the confidence in Okoh’s capacity and experience required to reposition DESAA and ensure that it operated effectively, in line with global best practices.
Oborevwori further said that the State Local Content Agency was established to empower the people economically, particularly those in the oil-producing communities.
He said the law that set up the agency domesticated relevant provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development and Monitoring Act to benefit the people of Delta.
He said that the law also provided for a 70 per cent local content utilisation in the extractive industries and mandated companies to patronise local contractors.
“The agency is also expected to monitor and ensure compliance with Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Global Memoranda of Understanding (GMOUs), and other agreements executed between companies, host communities, and the state government,” he said.
The governor said that strict adherence to the agreements and corporate social responsibility commitments by companies would significantly reduce conflicts in host communities.
He, therefore, urged communities to also fulfill their obligations to foster mutual trust and sustainable partnerships.
He also charged the new appointees to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their duties, adding that their activities must align with the strategic imperatives of his administration’s M.O.R.E Agenda.
He advised the appointees to familiarise themselves thoroughly with the policy documents and enabling laws guiding their agencies to avoid actions that might contravene legal provisions.
Oborevwori, who acknowledged the sensitive nature of their assignments, urged them to liaise closely with relevant stakeholders, including Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the organised private sector, and community leaders, to promote peace and synergy.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Okoh expressed gratitude to God and thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve the state.
He pledged their utmost loyalty to the governor and the state, promising that they would discharge their duties without fear or favour and in full conformity with the laws of the state.
