We have taken significant leap from poverty, Okowa praises self amid grumblings in Delta

Despite grumblings across Delta State over worsening economic situation, Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, says his administration has taken a significant leap, “in terms of the number of people who migrated from poverty to prosperity”, in the state.

Dr. Okowa, made the statement today, Friday August 28 at Asaba, during the inauguration of the State Economic Planning Council.

He stated: “This year, the NBS released two major statistics. The first on poverty-population ratio among states in Nigeria, and the second, on the unemployment rate in the country.

“Both statistics took cognisance of both the national average and prevailing averages across the 36 states. Lagos led the chart with 4.5% on the poverty-to-population ratio and was followed closely by Delta State with 6.0%.

“These statistics show that through this administration’s policies, we have taken a significant leap forward in terms of the number of people who migrated from poverty to prosperity — and those that have been rescued from the unemployment market.

“Every responsible and responsive government must periodically prepare strategic plans for the human, social, and economic development of its people. This is why, as we continue our march towards a Stronger Delta, this morning, I inaugurated the State Economic Planning Council.

“This council, which is empowered to formulate and prepare long, medium and short-term development plans for the state and our local governments, will help to sustain our accelerated development, broad-based economic progress and the social and economic wellbeing of our people.

“This is why, the formal take-off of this council, will strengthen our economic planning systems, which have been quite robust and all encompassing”.

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