BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said, his administration places high value in the partnership of the civil service establishment towards the implementation of its programmes.
Governor Okowa who stated this yesterday while declaring open the 3rd edition of the Two-Day Training Workshop for Civil Engineers in the Delta State Ministry of Works held at Gordon Resorts Hotel, Abraka, Delta State, reaffirmed that, one of the cardinal programmes of his administration is rural-urban integration/urban renewal through massive development of infrastructure.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, said, the state government as part of its strategic imperatives medium term plan have significantly advanced urban-rural integration with the construction of 455 roads comprising 1, 269.42 kilometres of roads and 517.34 kilometres of drainage channels.
Governor Okowa, while saying that, the regular update and upgrading of skills of those charged with driving the implementation machinery processes in tune with best practices is most imperative, noted that the refreshers course is consistent with the management principle of continous improvement.
According to him, this is to enable government fine-tune its processes, examine areas of strengths and weakness, align its system with global trends and upscale government project through judicious allocation of resources as well as effective monitoring.
The governor while noting that, the provision of road and physical infrastructure is critical to building a stronger and more resilient economy, said it also help to decrease inequality, creates employment, enhances individual productivity, stimulates growths of micro, small and medium scale enterprises and facilitates better living conditions in the communities and cities.
“Those who profit most from infrastructure development are the poor. Investment in infrastructure is one of the most potent tools for reducing poverty”. Gov. Okowa stated.
Earlier, in an address, the Hon. Commissioner of Works, Chief James Augoye noted that, this year training workshop will brain storm on road construction materials, specification and quality control, bridge construction and soil stabilization as well as erosion control using geosynthetics and concrete mattresses.
Chief Augoye said the topics are most apt to the present efforts the state gevernment is putting in place to construct long lasting roads and bridges as well as solving erosion problems in the state.
The commissioner said, the ministry decided to organize annual training for her engineers in order for them to be abreast with modern construction techniques and to sharpen their skills while carrying out their assigned responsibilties. He appealed to the engineers who are the beneficiaries to be serious with the training in order to complement government effort.
Present at the occasion are the Hon. Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the Chairman Ethiope East Local Government Council, Chief Faith Majemite among others.