In all honesty, prior to the 2015 general elections, I asked myself “How does this SMART Agenda plan to enthrone a legacy of PROSPERITY for all Deltans?” It looked like a well laid out plan, one that must have taken a long time to plan, one that must have been planned by a ‘guru’ who is well abreast with the happenings of our dear state, but then, it still looked like a farce. I was seriously worried about my boss’ reputation, because he had been a man whose words were his bond, yeah, that is where he got the title ‘Ekwueme’ from. (Ekwueme means the one who says a thing and goes against all odds to do it). Before I go further, let me summarise the goodies encapsulated in the acronym SMART
*Wealth creation and Provision of Jobs for All Deltans
*Peace building and Political/Social Stability
*Agriculture and Industrialization
*Relevant Health/Education Policies
*Urban Renewal
Fast forward to 2017, Deltans have been injected with a form of development that has shocked all to their bone marrow.
On Wealth creation and Job provisions, it might interest all to know that over 5,000 Deltans have been gainfully employed through the State Employment and Expenditure For Result (SEEFOR) Project. Another shocking 17,000 have been directly and indirectly employed through the STEP, YAGEP and PPSP programs of this administration. Many of this numbers are bosses of their own!!! This news is worth celebrating. But then the average Deltan might ask how this affects him. The good news is this, with more jobs, there is more money in circulation, and when there is more money in circulation, there would more customers for Mama Nkechi who sells fresh fish in the market, Yagepreneur Ochuko who for lack of purchasing power had barred himself from eating chicken, can now conveniently stroll into 5&6 kitchen in Abraka and order for two, for he and his friend.
With the purchase of vehicles and crime fighting equipments of international standards for both military and paramilitary installations in the state, the state government has to a reasonably large extent, been able to reduce the number of crimes recorded in the state. The few ‘strong-headed’ deviants who have refused to turn a new leaf now tell their story to their colleagues at the Okere Prisons. Today, Emeka can now lock up his shop by 12 midnight without being scared of being robbed on his way home. Mr. Tapere can now stroll to the supermarket by 11pm and come back home with his phone ‘intact’. The stigma of “Na Warri you dey ooo, shine your eyes” has been removed.
I still recall like yesterday, when tractors where being distributed out to farmers, when animal feed was given out to YAGEPRENEURS, as at the last Christmas, their first harvest was out for sale, I remember buying my Christmas Chicken from one of them. I would not forget anytime soon, the joy that filled his face that day, knowing full well that he had began to earn a living legally. Today the Delta state Government has not only empowered small scale farmers, but has taken the bold step forward to sign an MoU with Mirai of Israel to develop Agro-Industrial Parks in the three Senatorial Districts of the state. With the soon to be established Rice Factory in Agbarrha-Otor and Obior and other agriculture friendly policies that has been put in place, believe me in less than no time, Delta state would be self sufficient agriculturally, truly, this plan is SMART!!!!!
With the revolution in the Health sector, cut across the three senatorial districts, the enviable policies of this administration is no doubt targeted at enthroning a legacy of Prosperity for All.
Whenever I drive back to my hometown, Patani Local Government, and I see the upgraded General hospital, I become proud of the choice I made. Or when I drive down to Asaba through Agbor and I remember the wonder of works at Abavo His Excellency calls a Ho
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