Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has charged chairmen and members of the newly reconstituted Boards of government-owned agencies and parastatals to use their wealth of experience in repositioning the establishments to impact meaningfully on the life of the people.

He gave the charge yesterday in Asaba while inaugurating the Chairmen and members of Boards of 14 parastatals and agencies.

“Members of the Boards have vast experience in various spheres of life and should bring their wealth of experience and knowledge to bear on the performance and achievements of the various agencies and pararstatals. You should be able to reposition these agencies and parastatals so that they can achieve their set goals and objectives and impact meaningfully on the life of the people of the state,” Uduaghan said.

He called on them to maintain a harmonious working relationship with the management of the agencies and parastatals and avoid conflict, as his administration “abhors any form of in-fighting between board members and management staff of their various agencies.”

The governor opined that everybody, whether Board members, Chief Executives, or the ministry have their roles and responsibilities in the achievement of the goals of the agencies and as such there should not be conflict of interests, rather they should work in harmony for the progress of their establishments.

His words: “The challenge we have been having with board members in the state is the conflict between them and their chief executives. I don’t want to have such problem again. I want you all to work in harmony with the Chief Executives of the different agencies.”

Continuing, he said: “Everyone has a role to play to move the parastatals and agencies forward, so there should not be conflict of interest, you should all create a conducive working environment for the progress of your Boards.”

The governor informed the inaugurated Board members that they also have the responsibility of contributing their quota to the development of their wards stressing that it was their primary responsibility to empower the people.

He announced that his administration has approved an additional twenty youths and women into the youth and women community empowerment programme in each of the local government areas.

According to him, “We have approved an additional 20 youths and women into our community empowerment programme in each of the Local Government area and we are paying them N50,000 each.”

The governor congratulated the newly appointed board members and observed that the appointment of the board chairmen was purposely skewed with equal representation of men and women and in affirmation to the 35% women representation in government.

He assured those PDP members not yet appointed to be patient because “your time will soon come. We will appoint more Board members.”

In a brief response, the state PDP chairman, Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi, commended the governor for the appointment and empowerment given to Deltans explaining that the responsibility was given to the party to appoint the board members.

He pledged the loyalty of the board members to the government and the party and promised that they would contribute their quota to the success of the Uduaghan’s administration.

Said Nwaoboshi: “The appointees realise that this is a PDP government and will contribute their quota to the success of this administration. I am very grateful to you, Your Excellency and will continue to be grateful to you for the appointments you have given to party members. We will not fail you.”

The appointees include: Lady (Mrs.) Roseline Amioku – Chairman, Delta State Institute of Continuous Education; Mrs. Ifeoma Agbomah – Chairman; Delta State Rural Development Agency; Barr. (Mrs.) Orode Imovbere – Chairman, Delta State Post-Primary Education Board; Hon. Emeka Ukpe – Chairman, Delta State Library Board; and Chief Lizzy Obukene – Chairman, Delta State Board of Adult and Non – Formal Education.

Others are: Hon. Efe Afe – Chairman, Delta State Tourism Board; Barr. Mrs. Felicia Ajagun – Chairman, Delta State Development and Planning Authority; Barr. Olivia Agbajor – Chairman, Delta Broadcasting Service, Warri; Barr. Theo Azinge – Chairman, Delta Broadcasting Service, Asaba; Chief Willie Ashubu – Chairman, Delta State Arts Board; Hon. Omimi Esquire –Chairman, Land Allocation Committee; Elder Gabriel Lelekumo – Chairman, Rural Water Supply Agency; Mr. David Okpan – Chairman, Delta State Urban Water Board; and Alhaji Yusuf Eregbene – Chairman, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

•Photo shows a cross section of Chairmen and members during the inauguration of Boards of Parastatals and Agencies by the governor in Government House, Asaba . . . yesterday in Asaba.