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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, said Tuesday, July 9, 2024 that the ban on motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, for commercial transportation, had led to a noticeable reduction in crime rate in Asaba and its environs.

Governor Oborevwori disclosed this when he received on courtesy call, the Forum of Female Permanent Secretaries in the state, led by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Dr (Mrs) Mininie Oseji.

He said he was impressed with the performance of the Permanent Secretaries in their offices and charged them to continue to put in their best in helping to drive his MORE agenda.

Governor Oborevwori said no effort would be spared in creating a conducive work environment for civil servants to operate, apart from giving them platforms to be trained and retrained for maximum productivity.

He said the state had done well in creating a balance in the appointment of Permanent Secretaries, pointing out that, so far the state has 23 male and 17 female Permanent Secretaries, and assured them of continued synergy in the realisation of set goals.

He said: “We are trying our best to ensure that our civil servants live a very good life even after retirement. On the issue of mass transit in Asaba and Warri, we actually need it now that people are clamouring that there should be no Okada in Asaba.

“Since the ban on Okada in Asaba and its environs, the crime rate has reduced. Initially, I was reluctant, but, today, we thank God for the decision because it is paying off.

“We will think of the best solution to provide mass transportation for Deltans, especially the civil servants, to go to work.” He, however, said they were being careful to avoid wasting the state’s funds.

On the request for trainings, Governor Oborevwori said he believed in training and retraining, adding that once it was justified, he would approve it.

Earlier, Mrs Oseji said the forum was established in October 2021 to provide a platform for female Permanent Secretaries to discuss matters of common concern and interests, among others.

She commended Governor Oborevwori for his people-centred projects executed across the state, including provision of official cars for serving Permanent Secretaries in the state.

Mrs Oseji described Oborevwori as a role model for his evident transparent and prudent management of funds, and pledged that they would follow his footsteps.

She appealed to the Governor to revisit the plan for the provision of accommodation for serving Permanent Secretaries, adding that what they have currently was inadequate for the number of Permanent Secretaries.