*Okays Teachers’ Recruitment, Permanent Extra Month Salary For Workers
THE Delta State Executive Council (EXCO), presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the acquisition of 50 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, electric vehicles and construction of an ultra-modern mega bus terminal in Asaba, the state capita, to improve public transportation across the state.
In the same vein, the council okayed the institutionalisation of the extra month salary for civil servants, recruitment of more teachers for public secondary schools and equipping of technical colleges to strengthen workers’ welfare and improve education in the state.
These were some of the major decisions reached at the council meeting on Friday, July 3 in Asaba.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Transport, Onoriode Agofure, in company of his Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information counterpart, Charles Aniagwu; and Health, Joseph Onojaeme; said the approvals followed a comprehensive transportation study across major cities in the state, including Warri, Asaba, Ughelli, Agbor, Sapele, Abraka and Oleh, which showed that an average of over 19,000 people commute around the state daily, about 80 per cent of who depend on public transportation, and only 20 per cent on private vehicles.
Agofure said the findings underscored the need for government to strengthen the state’s public transport system to meet the needs of the majority of residents, adding that Oborevwori recognised transportation as a critical sector that drives economic and social activities.
He said the CNG buses would form the backbone of the state’s MORE Mass Transit Scheme in providing safe, affordable and efficient transportation for residents, adding that the approval for electric vehicles reflects the administration’s commitment to embracing modern, environmentally friendly transportation solutions.
Agofure also disclosed that council approved the construction of an ultra-modern mega bus terminal in Asaba to serve as the operational hub for the state’s mass transit system and help eliminate the numerous roadside and informal motor parks around the popular Koka Junction area, thereby improving traffic management and enhancing the aesthetics of the capital city.
The commissioner said land for the project has already been acquired and necessary processes underway to commence construction, assuring that when completed, all existing mushroom parks, including those operated by private transport operators, will be relocated to the new facility.
He disclosed that a similar bus terminal would be developed in Warri, as the Federal Government had already approved the project, following the intervention of the governor.
On his part, Aniagwu disclosed that the council also approved a memo presented by the governor to make the payment of the extra month, often referred to as 13t-month, salary a permanent statutory benefit for workers to pave the way for an Executive Bill to be transmitted to the House of Assembly for legislative backing.
Aniagwu said the move was to ensure the payment is no longer dependent on the discretion of any administration, but becomes a legal entitlement for civil servants in the state, adding that once the Bill is passed into law, workers in the state would continue to enjoy the benefit beyond the tenure of the present administration.
He stated that the council considered the shortage of teachers in public secondary schools, particularly in science subjects, and worried over its impact on the quality of education, directed the Ministry of Secondary Education to immediately prepare a memo indicating the number of teachers required for recruitment, and had, in principle, approved the employment of additional teachers to address the manpower gap in the state’s secondary schools.
Aniagwu further disclosed that the council approved the procurement and installation of equipment for the Technical College in Oghareki, Ethiope West Local Council and plans to equip the Technical College in Irri upon completion.
These, he stated, underscored the administration’s commitment to revamping technical education and equipping young people with practical skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship.
The council also approved the appointment of HRM, Goodnews Goodman Agbi, Athuaro I, as the Ovie of Oyede Kingdom in Isoko North Local Council.
