28th March, 2016
PRESS STATEMENT
RE: OKOWA DOLES OUT N14M EASTER BONANZA TO POLITICAL AIDES
Our attention has been drawn to a malicious publication by Exclusive Magazine to the effect that Delta State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa dolled out N14million to his Political Aides to celebrate Easter.
Ordinarily, it is not in our nature and character to respond to petty lies like this unfounded report from Exclusive Magazine but in order not to create a wrong impression on the reading public whom they have set out to misinform, we have considered it necessary to make the following statement.
That contrary to the lies peddled by Exclusive Magazine, neither the Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, nor the State Government that he heads released any money to Political Aides for the purpose of any celebration. It is common knowledge in the state that the Governor has been saddled with the responsibility of stabilizing the government while also making frantic efforts to provide infrastructure such as roads, hospitals rehabilitation, markets as well as rehabilitation of Technical and Primary Schools spread across the state even in the face of strangulating economic conditions.
Since assumption of office, the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa Administration has never owed workers salaries despite the challenging economic situation where many states are owing several months salaries. Governor Okowa has managed the economy of the state creditably well to the extent that he has only embarked on only one foreign trip at the instance of the United Nations since his assumption of office.
Exclusive Magazine also stated that salaries have been delayed since Okowa came into office. It is important to let the public know that salaries are only paid after FAAC Meetings which hitherto used to hold mid months but now moved to month end since the Buhari Administration came into office.
Governor Okowa has never failed to assure workers in the state that payment of their salaries is top priority and has always ensured they are paid as at when due. It is therefore out of place for any worker to complain that he failed to celebrate Easter because government failed to pay their salaries when the month has not ended.
Governor Okowa has never failed to acknowledge the continued support of Deltans who have never failed to encourage him to keep faith with his ‘prosperity for all Deltans’ policy.
Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State.
