Gov-okowa-s-political-appointment-spree-in-the-midst-of-the-adverse-impact-of-covid-19-on-delta-state-economy-a-mindless-act-from-a-visionless-government
September 7, 2020 | News
GOV. OKOWA’S POLITICAL APPOINTMENT SPREE IN THE MIDST OF THE ADVERSE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON DELTA STATE ECONOMY - A MINDLESS ACT FROM A VISIONLESS GOVERNMENT
I am still trying to hold my head around the fact that a State Government, which have been crying that the impact of the Corona-Virus (Covid-19) has been ravaging the State economy, yet that same government is still carrying out more political appointments to add to its already cumbersome Government appointees. If Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led Delta State Government cannot readily pay the new minimum wage of its Civil Service workers, which according to them is made more difficult due to the impact of the Corona-Virus pandemic that has globally affected all sectors, then of what use is it to appoint more politicians as Advisers, who will end up not actually doing anything positive to improve the deplorable state of the State?
It simply does not make any iota of sense. To even think that Governor Okowa, amid criticisms of an overwhelming number of political appointees in the Delta State public service, still went ahead and sworn-in two new special advisers into his Government. This clearly suggests that, apparently because of the unclear means they found their way into Government, the Delta State Executive Government feels that they owe nobody any explanation. As such, they can do whatever they like, since they are obviously not accountable to the public, who were never really the ones that actually got them into the Government in the first place.
The said appointments is coming after the Okowa administration had adopted the policy of salary cut for political office holders and civil servants on grade level 07 and above, in view of the impact of the ravaging COVID-19 on the State economy. According to reports, those that were sworn-in are old "political cohorts". They include the immediate past vice-chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Emma Ogidi, who was also a former chairman of the party in the state, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Sunny Emeyese.
However, the big question is, what exactly are the essential roles and duties will these two politicians perform? Of course, nothing! They will just earn Salaries/allowances like others, and be given fleets of cars and security operatives without any meaningful contributions. Of what benefit is it for the Okowa-led Government to regularly appoint ‘idle politicians’ that have no meaningful role to contribute towards the growth of the State’s economy? Of what need and use is Okowa, using money meant for building and maintaining infrastructure in Delta State, for the appointment of politicians who will not add an iota of value to the governance of Delta State? Does Okowa have a reasonable conscience at all?
Is it not appalling that most of what the people of Delta State keep getting and seeing from Okowa is “more and more of Political Appointments” for the various “HANGERS” and supporters of his Government, all of which are nothing but useless appointment without well-defined portfolios and statutory responsibilities? From his list of Commissioners to his so-called Special Advisers - down to his Senior Special Assistants of one thing or the other, which are nothing but “jobs for the boys.” From the created Asaba Development Agency, Delta State Investment Development Agency, the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on so-called Social Advocacy, his inauguration of a 30-man so-called Advisory and Peace Building Council, to mention a few. All of which are nothing but avenues through which Delta State public funds, which ought to be used to build needed infrastructure In the State, are daily wasted on salaries/wages/fringe benefits and recurrent expenditures to maintain these ‘Political Appointments’.
All the public funds used by the Okowa administration to pay these hangers and so-called political appointees like PAs, SSAs, SAs, etc., are enough to build the basic infrastructure we earnestly need in the State. Can a place be developed without basic infrastructure? Governor Okowa is under the impression that he can buy politicians with these useless appointments that are without defined roles and responsibilities. And that is the best way for him to lead the people. The monies spent to sustain and pay these hangers and political appointees, if used to build basic infrastructures, such infrastructures will outlive Okowa’s tenure in Government House.
Everything we have seen with this administration in Delta State is evident of a Government that is bereft and empty with people-oriented visions and innovations for creating wealth for the populace. Is it not better, and possible for these politicians to look for something else to do, other than being in Government throughout their lifetimes? Can't they look for something to do for themselves to earn a living, after having been in government, other than hanging around Delta State Government House every time? They have really got it all wrong. Someone like Mr Sunny Emeyesi has been in Government since 1999, and he is still lobbying to be appointed in Government, and now has been appointed to continue from where he stopped. When will Nigerian political leaders/politicians grow up and start going for genuine development in the interest of all and sundry? It is a pity that Nigerian politicians have turned Government/Public Service into a Commercial Enterprises. What a shame!
Zik Gbemre.
August 13, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
I am still trying to hold my head around the fact that a State Government, which have been crying that the impact of the Corona-Virus (Covid-19) has been ravaging the State economy, yet that same government is still carrying out more political appointments to add to its already cumbersome Government appointees. If Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led Delta State Government cannot readily pay the new minimum wage of its Civil Service workers, which according to them is made more difficult due to the impact of the Corona-Virus pandemic that has globally affected all sectors, then of what use is it to appoint more politicians as Advisers, who will end up not actually doing anything positive to improve the deplorable state of the State?
It simply does not make any iota of sense. To even think that Governor Okowa, amid criticisms of an overwhelming number of political appointees in the Delta State public service, still went ahead and sworn-in two new special advisers into his Government. This clearly suggests that, apparently because of the unclear means they found their way into Government, the Delta State Executive Government feels that they owe nobody any explanation. As such, they can do whatever they like, since they are obviously not accountable to the public, who were never really the ones that actually got them into the Government in the first place.
The said appointments is coming after the Okowa administration had adopted the policy of salary cut for political office holders and civil servants on grade level 07 and above, in view of the impact of the ravaging COVID-19 on the State economy. According to reports, those that were sworn-in are old "political cohorts". They include the immediate past vice-chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Emma Ogidi, who was also a former chairman of the party in the state, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Mr Sunny Emeyese.
However, the big question is, what exactly are the essential roles and duties will these two politicians perform? Of course, nothing! They will just earn Salaries/allowances like others, and be given fleets of cars and security operatives without any meaningful contributions. Of what benefit is it for the Okowa-led Government to regularly appoint ‘idle politicians’ that have no meaningful role to contribute towards the growth of the State’s economy? Of what need and use is Okowa, using money meant for building and maintaining infrastructure in Delta State, for the appointment of politicians who will not add an iota of value to the governance of Delta State? Does Okowa have a reasonable conscience at all?
Is it not appalling that most of what the people of Delta State keep getting and seeing from Okowa is “more and more of Political Appointments” for the various “HANGERS” and supporters of his Government, all of which are nothing but useless appointment without well-defined portfolios and statutory responsibilities? From his list of Commissioners to his so-called Special Advisers - down to his Senior Special Assistants of one thing or the other, which are nothing but “jobs for the boys.” From the created Asaba Development Agency, Delta State Investment Development Agency, the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on so-called Social Advocacy, his inauguration of a 30-man so-called Advisory and Peace Building Council, to mention a few. All of which are nothing but avenues through which Delta State public funds, which ought to be used to build needed infrastructure In the State, are daily wasted on salaries/wages/fringe benefits and recurrent expenditures to maintain these ‘Political Appointments’.
All the public funds used by the Okowa administration to pay these hangers and so-called political appointees like PAs, SSAs, SAs, etc., are enough to build the basic infrastructure we earnestly need in the State. Can a place be developed without basic infrastructure? Governor Okowa is under the impression that he can buy politicians with these useless appointments that are without defined roles and responsibilities. And that is the best way for him to lead the people. The monies spent to sustain and pay these hangers and political appointees, if used to build basic infrastructures, such infrastructures will outlive Okowa’s tenure in Government House.
Everything we have seen with this administration in Delta State is evident of a Government that is bereft and empty with people-oriented visions and innovations for creating wealth for the populace. Is it not better, and possible for these politicians to look for something else to do, other than being in Government throughout their lifetimes? Can't they look for something to do for themselves to earn a living, after having been in government, other than hanging around Delta State Government House every time? They have really got it all wrong. Someone like Mr Sunny Emeyesi has been in Government since 1999, and he is still lobbying to be appointed in Government, and now has been appointed to continue from where he stopped. When will Nigerian political leaders/politicians grow up and start going for genuine development in the interest of all and sundry? It is a pity that Nigerian politicians have turned Government/Public Service into a Commercial Enterprises. What a shame!
Zik Gbemre.
August 13, 2020.
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes