Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has charged his political appointees to drive the state’s economic growth and institutional reforms, in line with the strategic objectives of his development mantra—‘The M.O.R.E Agenda.’

Mr Oborevwori gave the charge while swearing in Sebastian Okoh as the managing director of the Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (DESAA) and Stanley Kakor, director-general of the Delta State Local Content Agency in Asaba.

He expressed confidence in their ability to justify the trust reposed in them through their appointments.

The governor said the appointments were another significant step in his administration’s determination to build a strong, diversified, and resilient economy for the state.

Mr Oborevwori said that DESAA, established by the Delta State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency Law, 2015, and the Delta State Local Content Agency, established in 2020, are critical institutions for the growth and expansion of the state’s economy.

According to him, DESAA is mandated to control, regulate, monitor, and inspect all outdoor structures and platforms used for signage and advertisements to ensure compliance with the law.

He said the state remained a major hub in outdoor advertising, given its strategic location within the southern economic corridor.

The governor said DESAA’s operations would be vital in curbing visual pollution caused by the indiscriminate erection of outdoor advertisements.

He expressed confidence in Mr Okoh’s capacity and experience to reposition DESAA and ensure it operates effectively in line with global best practices.

Mr Oborevwori further said the State Local Content Agency was established to empower the people economically, particularly those in the oil-producing communities.

He said the law that set up the agency domesticated relevant provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development and Monitoring Act to benefit the people of Delta.

The governor said the law also provided for a 70 per cent local content utilisation in the extractive industries and mandated companies to patronise local contractors.

“The agency is also expected to monitor and ensure compliance with Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), Global Memoranda of Understanding (GMOUs), and other agreements executed between companies, host communities, and the state government,” he said.

The governor said strict adherence to the agreements and corporate social responsibility commitments by companies would significantly reduce conflicts in host communities.

He also charged the new appointees to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in the discharge of their duties and to familiarise themselves with the policy documents and enabling laws guiding their agencies.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Mr Okoh pledged they would discharge their duties without fear or favour and in full conformity with the laws of the state.

(NAN)