2023: Omo-Agege unveils manifesto, promises employment, development, good governance, others

The Deputy President of the Senate and the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has unveiled his manifesto for the 2023 election.

Speaking during a press conference held at Asaba yesterday, he said that his 60-Page Manifesto anchored on the EDGE to Build a New Delta (BAND) covers critical areas of governance that would drive his agenda when elected governor in 2023.

The APC governorship flagbearer disclosed  that he decided to contest for the office  of the governor Delta State because of his dissatisfaction with the state of affairs in the State adding that it is a journey for the good of the generality of the Deltans

He Noted that his aspiration is beyond the ordinary quest for power but a movement to liberate, rebuild and reinvigorate the State, which ought to be the leading light of the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria.

“ I am formally presenting myself to you as the Governorship candidate of the APC and also the bearer of the hopes and aspirations of all Deltans.

“We will also be sharing with you our policy document that will form our plan to band together to build a vibrant, equitable and prosperous Delta State, based on core moral values of service, hard work and shared sacrifice, where everyone has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential.

“I am certainly concerned that our dear State has been left behind on key development indices despite the huge sums of money that flow into the State from the Federation Account and 13 percent derivation along with internally generated revenue by way of the various taxes and rates that our hard-working people pay.

“records of the Debt Management Office, states that Delta State also has the second-highest debt portfolio in the country.

“This is certainly unacceptable. Ours is, therefore, a movement to restore and revive a State that had been misgoverned and rapaciously pillaged by those whom we had entrusted with leadership.

“I am privileged to have an extensive understanding of the issues of governance. It is these experiences I bring to bear on my plans for Delta State.

“Our manifesto is therefore a product of profound thought based on my practical experience both in the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

“The manifesto is our Vision and Mission; It captures our EDGE Agenda which breaks down as: E for Employment and Empowerment; D for Development (Economic, Infrastructural and Industrial); G for Good Governance, and E for Enduring Peace and Security.

“The EDGE agenda sums up our people’s hopes and aspirations for economic stability, sustainable employment, security, access to modern public infrastructure, solid institutions, and a clean environment. It is strategically organized to make ours a model state and a leading centre of excellence. With EDGE, we bring credibility, efficiency and trust back to governance.

“ It is the ultimate paradigm shift to reform our public service, cut the cost of governance, eliminate waste, and deny corruption and other crimes comfort and safety in our governance architecture. EDGE agenda is our firm promise and its success is non-negotiable.

“My plan as stated in our manifesto will change the commercial ecosystem of the State and create an investment-friendly charter that makes access to funds and infrastructure a natural way of life. Human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour-intensive interventions will be at the core of our agenda.

“We shall establish a Delta State Employment, Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Programme (DEEP), and facilitate the establishment of cluster industries in each of the twenty-five Local Government Areas of our State.

“We will deliberately create an enabling environment for industries and manufacturing; establish tech hubs, set up small business loan guarantee schemes, promote skills acquisition and set up a Career Development Centre for Deltans.

“ As part of our plans to promote ease of doing business, we will undertake institutional and process reviews, remove red tape and bureaucratic bottlenecks, improve infrastructure, and re-engineer our peace and security strategies while establishing a one-stop repository of business knowledge and information.

“We will guarantee the rights of women and invest their unique energy to drive social and economic development in the state.

“We will initiate a youth development program that moves them away from the hopelessness of today, connect them to creative endeavours and generate energy for honourable work.

“We will make aggressive investments in modern infrastructure capable of opening up the total economic energies of our people, we will lift the State out of a mono-economic dependency by launching diversification into tech and business incubation.

“We are deeply committed to the cause of changing the current development path of our State. However, we cannot do it without the support and cooperation of our people.
“Democracy and development thrive on a watchful and active citizenry who should hold us accountable every step of the way.

“ To kick start the real development of the State, our administration will focus on massive industrialization through agricultural and integrated rural development, facilitating the establishment of food processing industries, industrial estates, transportation, including land, air, sea, and marine; promote free and compulsory basic education, free primary health care, development and expansion of educational opportunities for Deltans from primary to tertiary level, urban renewal and regeneration that will focus primarily on cities like Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor, Kwale and the riverine areas of the State, including Burutu, Oleh, Ozoro and others.

“Our government will promote innovation by investing in information and communication technology as a way of modernizing and simplifying government operations.

“ We shall develop and strengthen existing government institutions to promote effective, open, and transparent governance where every Deltan can participate and hold their leaders accountable, reform local government administration to bring government and political participation closer to the people, reduce the cost of governance and redeploy resources to development programs, reform and modernize the legislature, judiciary, and other government institutions and bring them in line with international best practices.

“Under our government, the era of judges and other relevant government officials having to take records manually will be a thing of the past. Our administration will invest in the appropriate ICT infrastructure to safeguard and modernize government operations and expand access to internet services. Government officials at all levels will be mandated to utilize electronic means of communication in carrying out government business.

“ the cumulative effect of these social economic reforms, will reduce the real cost of governance and make it easier for Deltans to access programs and contribute to policy formulation directly or through their elected representatives. We pledge that our government will be transparent, accountable, and ethical. It will not be business as usual.

“Our administration will create a security trust fund, facilitate, and equip community policing for every ward, village, and town in Delta State.

“We will create a system to build security awareness and confidence in our communities for intelligence gathering and sharing at various levels. There will be a revitalized and strengthened State Security Council that will assist in the coordination of law and order.

“To ensure security in our communities, our government will partner with traditional institutions and community-based youth organizations to ensure and promote communal conflict resolution.

“We believe that the development we desire for Delta State can only take place when there is peace and enduring security.

“our goal is to build a vibrant, well governed, equitable, and prosperous Delta State that puts our people first. Deltans deserve better. Enough is enough! He said.