– Akpabio Seeks Similar Control for State in Managing Power Resources
AT a major milestone of his popular mandate as Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is making the case for the decentralization of Nigeria’s security agencies to enable states have more effective control of their individual security challenges.
The governor made the remarks as as part of his opening statement at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association in Akure, the state capital. He argued that state governors, as the chief security officers of their respective states, need better control over when it comes to managing security challenges under their jurisdiction.
Governor Mimiko also stressed the need for devolution of funds away from the central government to the state and local governments, saying that such would help the rapid development that Nigeria needs at this time.
On the rampart cases of corruption in every sector of the economy, Dr Mimiko noted that his administration has put in place mechanism that makes it a difficult task to embezzle pubic funds, adding that due process and effective monitoring of projects have been the priority of the government.
Mimiko cited his administration’s 12-point programme in the areas of health, education, agriculture and infrastructural development among others as evidence of his determination to tackle youth unemployment, provide affordable and qualitative healthcare and add value to the lives of the people.
The event took place as Ondo people from the 18 local government areas of the state and beyond converged in the city to mark the occasion of Governor Mimiko’s 3rd year in office. He took the oath of office on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, following the reclamation of his mandate through a judgment of the Court of Appeal in Benin, Edo State, which affirmed his earlier victory at the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led Election Petition Tribunal.
Addressing the crowd, Mimiko said rather than slow down, he would continue to work for the people and remain focused on delivering on his campaign promises.
The Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Arcade, venue of the occasion was packed full on with dignitaries from within and beyond Nigeria’s shores, Labour Party faithful, traditional rulers, professional and youth bodies, non-governmental organizations as well as top musicians and artistes.
They included Mimiko’s wife, Olukemi, the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, his wife, Bejide, three former Military Administrators of the state, Rear-Admiral Abiodun Olukoya (rtd), Col. Mike Torey (rtd), Col. Moses Fasanya (rtd), the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Dare Emiola and members of the State Executive Council.
Also at the ceremony were members of the state legislature, National Chairman of Labour Party, Dan Iwuanyanwu, the state Chairman, Olu Ogidan, the Chairman of the State Council of Obas and Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida, Amb. Roland Omowa, Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Prof. Femi Mimiko and LP state leader, Mr. Soji Bello.
Musicians who thrilled the crowd at the occasion were led by Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade. Others include Bonsue Fuji maestro, Adewale Ayuba, late Orlando Owoh’s son, Kunle, Gospel singer, Funmi Aragbaye, Zion music exponent, Debo Ojubuyi, talking drummer, Aralola, late Madam Comfort Omoge’s group, Lord Ajasa and Onikamesan.
Top flight Nollywood artistes at the event were Funsho Adeolu, Saheed Balogun and others.
Another highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence to Governor Mimiko by various groups from across the state.
A similar call for state control for more effective management has also been made by Akwa Ibom governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio. who challenged the federal government to grant generation, transmission and distribution licenses to states in the country as solution to the intractable problem of power in the country.
Akpabio made this statement in Uyo at a summit on power themed: ‘Resolving Critical Issues Militating Against Service Delivery’, organised by the Federal Ministry of Power at the Le Meridian Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.
The governor said that by 2013, he would achieve 100 per cent electricity coverage in the state as 1, 463 out of 2, 525 villages have already been provided with electricity and linked to the national grid. He told the minister that he is building a gas plant through public-private partnership (PPP) and has paid $33,000,000 upfront for gas supply to the state for the next 10 years.
“This is going to be the first PPP gas plant in Nigeria with 69km gas pipeline from Uquo to Ikot Abasi, where you have Aluminium melting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON). We need more of such partnership. We need to look at the problem of wrong pricing of gas and other issues militating against investment in the power sector. We need to overhaul transmission lines. It will need a lot of financing and removal of bureaucratic red tape if we would move forward.”
Earlier, the Minister of Power, Prof. Bart Nnaji, said that the summit is aimed at taking stock of the performance of the power sector so far. Nnaji said that the summit was packaged to discuss power generation challenges, transmission capacity, distribution efficiency, new tariff implementation and ways of achieving targets. The minister expressed confidence that the summit would chart a new course for the attainment of stable power supply.