Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has revealed that the State Independent Power Plant would be commissioned by the end of 2014.

He made the disclosure yesterday in Abuja when he delivered a lecture titled ‘Leadership-My Personal Experience’ to participants of Course 22 of the National Defence College, Abuja, asserted that “for a leader to lead he must have strong self-belief, and strong internal and unshakeable values.”

The governor urged people in leadership positions in the country to be transparent, sincere and run an inclusive government with information shared to close officials.

He attributed the successes of his administration to a collective leadership with clear set goals and vision for a greater, peaceful and prosperous Delta State.

Governor Uduaghan revealed that the Delta IPP when commissioned by the end of the year would be privatised to ensure better management, stating that “Delta State in the foreseeable future should be energy sufficient to support domestic, household demands and for industrial use.”

He said that the state government involvement in the Benin Electricity Distribution Company would help the supply of power to the rural areas which will improve the economy of these areas.

Dr. Uduaghan disclosed that the Independent Power plant would produce between 120 and 150 megawatts of electricity to boost domestic and industrial use in the state.

The governor noted that rumour mongering, propaganda and destructive criticism were the worst of distractions any leader can suffer as they create internal dissension, internal rivalry and insurrection.

He observed that most harmful rumours emanate from those closest to the leader and decried the use of social media for rumour mongering and propaganda, saying: “I struggle with it every day, it is distracting. It is destructive and it is unhelpful. It is worse because the sources sometimes are from within.”

The governor urged leaders to sharpen their negotiation skills and strive to combat rumours with genuine facts.

On the developmental front, the governor said the achievements of his administration were due largely to the drive to build infrastructure and promote policies that would attract business investments and create employment in all sectors of the economy.

He emphasised that the Delta Beyond Oil initiative, the focus on agriculture and the state micro credit programme were geared towards giving a sense of belonging to all Deltans.

He disclosed that the state government has made giant strides in the health sector especially in maternal and under-5 healthcare, as well as kidney transplant at Delta State Teaching Hospital, Oghara among others, to boost the quality of life of the people.

The Commander of the College, Rear Admiral Patrick Ndidi Agholor, commended the commitment of Governor Uduaghan to the lecture which he said has greatly enriched them.

•Governor Uduaghan.

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