My Delta State Beyond Oil

Uduaghan Advocates Human Capital Development To End Insecurity
March 27, 2014 - 11:39am | By Ugochukwu Onyeocha
Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to focus on human capital development, saying it lies at the heart of any hopes for peace and security.
Dr Uduaghan told a gathering of UK Parliamentarians and Nigerians in the diaspora at House of Parliament, Westminster London, that Nigeria’s plans to diversify the economy must be intensified with a special focus on entrepreneurship and infrastructure.
At the British-African Diaspora Conference hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Committee on Nigeria, Governor Uduaghan admitted the perennial problems of development deficits in Nigeria but, expressed belief that sustained efforts at implementing a non-oil economic plan was the way to go.
Commenting on the level of unemployment in Nigeria, the governor said that the Nigeria Immigration Service employment exercise that claimed lives in Nigeria was a wake-up call to the endemic challenge of unemployment.
He further stressed the need for the Nigerian government to develop other sectors of the economy with funds generated from crude oil sales.
At the gathering, parliamentarians and Nigerians were keen to hear from top government officials new developments in Africa’s most populous nation beyond the politics and security reports dominating the scene.
The Sokoto State governor, Aliyu Wamako, appealed to Nigerians in the diaspora for support in nation building, assuring them of an enabling environment.
These events create platforms of dialogue between key players in Nigeria and the international community for improved economic relations.

The attention of the Delta State Government has been drawn to the press briefing by Hon Dino Melaye alleging mismanagement of funds, specifically the N9b excess crude funds released to the state in December 2012.

It will be recalled that in the last two years, the fund allocation from the Federation has been dwindling. States have therefore been requesting for the release of part of the excess crude fund to deal with outstanding commitments.

The excess Crude referred to by Dino Melaye came in two tranches of N1,090,380,894.61 and N8,348,064,864.52 on 10th December, 2012.

Meanwhile the sum of N22,677,938,653.12 was being owed contractors and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) mainly for capital projects. The N9b was therefore used to offset part of this commitment.

Contrary to the impression given by Dino Melaye that the money was spent in less than three days, payment commenced in mid- December, 2012 and closed at the end of January, 2013 a period of over 6 weeks.

All the payments were duly budgeted for and due process duly followed.

It must be noted that the Delta State Government uses the ICT based SAP financial management system which has ensured transparency in our payment system.

It is on record that many people have complained of the strict payment system by the Delta State Government. This is to ensure proper record keeping and accountability.

It is well known that the Delta State Government has been pursuing the Delta Beyond Oil Agenda to ensure that in future the State does not have to depend on Federal Allocation alone for survival.

The Honourable Commissioner for Finance will be addressing the press in the next few days to give details of the financial management system.

We urge Hon Melaye to properly investigate whatever information they get before coming out with allegations that are frivolous

http://deltastate.gov.ng/index.php/media-centre/govt-special-announcements?layout=edit&id=917

Swearing-in of Newly Appointed Permanent Secretaries It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly Deltans that His Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, CON, Governor of Delta State, will tomorrow, Monday December 23, 2013, preside over the Swearing-in Ceremony of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries in the St...