The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on journalists to partner with his administration by ensuring factual reportage of the state government’s programmes.

Governor Okowa made the call on Thursday during an “appreciation meeting” with journalists.

According to the governor, “I must thank Deltans in general and thank you journalists for reporting our activities at every point in time, before, during and after the campaigns, you were with us, even some of you who were afraid of water, were with us in the creeks.

“I appreciate the roles journalists are playing in my government. We are partners in progress and that partnership should continue. Ensure accurate reporting, if there is any issue that requires clarification, you can reach me, the Chief Press Secretary or any of the political appointees because we have an open-door policy where all journalists, every Deltan has the right to be contributors to good governance. As much as possible, I will be frank with our people.

“From our visits, it was obvious that our people in the creeks need a lot of government attention which will make them happy and we are determined as a government to provide infrastructure in the area for our people who are in those areas to be comfortable.”

Governor Okowa stated that while his administration did so much in the area of road construction, building of schools, skill acquisition and empowerment for Deltans in line with the prosperity agenda of his administration, in the next four years, more projects would be executed for a stronger Delta State to be achieved.

He disclosed that his SMART Agenda is the “conveyor belt” for a stronger Delta, assuring that such projects like the Central Secretariat, Ughelli/Asaba dual carriage way, storm drainage projects and numerous others would be completed as his desire is for those life-changing programmes to be completed while new ones that will also be initiated will be completed before the end of his tenure in 2023.

Governor Okowa who was impressed by the large turnout of journalists for the meeting also stated that the Oil and Gas Park, Agro-Industrial Park, among others would also, come on stream within his second tenure while spirited efforts are being made for the Asaba International Airport to attain its full potentials.

He also used the opportunity to call for appropriate measures to be taken to check population surge in the country, observing that it portends danger for the nation for the population to be growing at a very high rate while the economy is very slow in its growth.

Journalists who spoke at the occasion including National Vice President, South-South of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Edward Ogude, Chairman of NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu, and others commended Governor Okowa’s administration for its media-friendly posture, assuring that they will continue to ensure credible reportage of his administration’s activities.

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (middle); Secretary to State Government, Chiedu Ebie (right) and Chairman, Delta State Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Comrade Mike Ikeogwu, during the 2019 Media Appreciation Meeting, in Government House Asaba.

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