The Governor-elect in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, on Tuesday inaugurated three committees, comprising 98 members, to midwife a smooth transition process.
The committees include Technical Committee on Programme Development/Governance, Committee on Hand Over and the Committee of Night of Praise.
While the Committee on Programmes Development/Governance has Prof. Sam Oyovbaire as Chairman, Handover has Chief Clement Ofuani as Chairman, the Night of Praise is headed by Barrister Richard Damijo, popularly known as RMD.
Okowa, who will take oath as the fourth Executive Governor of the state on May 29, vowed to equitably distribute the wealth of the state by being fair to all the ethnic nationalities making up the state.
Speaking during the event at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Okowa said membership of the committee was not an automatic ticket to be appointed as members of the State Executive Council.
Their terms of reference include ensuring the seamless transition in the state and implementation of the policies and programmes of the incoming administration after inauguration; advice on governance structure, size, relationship and best practices that will enable greater efficiency and outcome; examine the 2015 budget and advice in line with work plan.
Handover Committee includes provision of standard template and guidance for the preparation of handover documents by every ministry; review and give situation reports as regards projects, programmes and activities of the ministry; ensuring adequate documentation of the assets and liabilities of the ministry/agency; taking stock of the resources and staffing of the ministry and relating and coordinating with officials of the state government ministries, departments and agencies, our party and other stakeholders in the state.
Okowa said: “The transition from one administration to another is often a defining moment in any democracy, the work can sometimes be burdensome but not overwhelming. It can be challenging but gratifying when it results in a seamless transition and the development of a blueprint that ensures the incoming government starts on a sure and strong footing.
“The success or otherwise of any transition process is measured by how quickly an incoming administration is able to get to grips with the work at hands and begins to effectively implement its plans, policies and programmes.
“The members of these committees to be inaugurated today have been selected based on certain criteria, it does not mean they work harder than others, membership of the committees does not translate to appointment into the state Executive Council, appointment will not be based on the work of the committee or on the recommendation of members of the committees.”
Earlier, the state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Edwin Uzor, charged the committees to justify the confidence reposed in them.