Leadership in service delivery requires certain key innate attributes from every good leader, and one of such is that of sincere commitment to duty. In realising such commitment, it is expected that one must be pragmatic and proactive in his or her approach in service delivery to be able to effectively deliver on his or her mandate. These qualities are visibly manifesting in the person of RT. Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta, the new Delta State Commissioner for Water Resources Development.
The early assumption of duty, no doubt, is an indication that as the right man for the job who would consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Sir Okenmor Fidelis Tilije, Rt. Hon.(Dr) Okonta is not unaware of the task ahead.
In his determination to change the narratives in the water sector, in tandem with the expectations of Deltans, especially the Governor, Rt. Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta, an astute administrator, vibrant law maker, one time Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and Special Adviser to the Governor as well as a pragmatic legal practitioner whose tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly witnessed vibrant activities of legislations, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Martins Okonta’s appointment could be described as a round peg in a round hole as he harps on the burning desire to operate an open door policy and would embrace critical ideals that could move the ministry forward.
The Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okwa in a bid to ensure more sustainable development in the state for the overall well-being of Deltans, is vigorously pursuing his second term developmental policy anchored on building a stronger Delta.
Having handled a critical assignment as Special Adviser to the Governor in his first term administration, Rt. Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta, a focused leader and seasoned law maker, is very much abreast with the policy direction of Governor Okowa’s led Administration.
On his assumption of duty as the State Commissioner for Water Resources Development on the 1st day of August, 2019, Tr. Hon. (Dr) Martins Okonta, was immediately presented with the handing over note/brief by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr(Mrs) Felicia Adun who had held sway, the affairs of the ministry since the dissolution of the ex-while State Executive Council which also affected the former commissioner for Water Resources Development, Sir Fidelis Tilije who was reappointed by the Governor as the State Commissioner for Finance.
In his maiden /assumption of duty remarks, the Delta State Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Rt.Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta charged the staff of the ministry to to redouble their commitments for effective service delivery as well as cooperate with him towards realising the stronger Delta agenda of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa administration in the water sector.
Continuing, Rt. Hon.(Dr) Okonta who gave the charge during the familiarisation visit to the ministry/assumption of duty said that he would build more synergy with the staff of the ministry in order to take the ministry to an enviable heights. The commissioner, a onetime Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and whose tenure experienced stability in the legislative activities of the House, said that his doors were always open to all the staff of the ministry.
The Water Resources Commissioner who also in his political journey, served as a Special Adviser to the Governor added that no efforts would be spared in the quest to reposition the ministry for the overall good of all.
In her handing over speech, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr(Mrs) Felicia Adun assured the commissioner of the staff’s readiness to work and cooperate with him, just as she congratulated the commissioner on his well deserved appointment. Dr(Mrs) Adun said that the commissioner’s early assumption of duty was enough signal that he was a pragmatic administrator who would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the water sector.
Notwithstanding the fact that the handing over event was between the commissioner and the Permanent Secretary, arrangement have been concluded for the Water Resources Commissioner, Rt.Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta by the commissioner to meet with the entire management and staff of the ministry in a larger platform as soon as possible.
It is expected that during such platform, more robust relationship would be established with the staff of the ministry and get their pulse as well as ascertain their challenges as well as fashion out measures to unravel them.
Despite the unprecedented achievements of his predecessor, Sir Fidelis Tilije, such as the declaration of the state of emergency on WASH, the signing of the water law by the Governor, the ceaseless partnership with the international agencies/organisations such as the UNICEF, European Union and now the most recent intervention, USAID(United States Agency for International Development) whose collaboration had positively impacted on the water sector in Delta State, there may be some handful work to be done by the new commissioner so that the water sector in the state would be play a leading role to other states in Nigeria, to emulate.
One of such areas he needs to focus more attention is the reactivation of all moribund public water facilities in the state.
Very recently, precisely on the 2nd day of August, 2019, the new commissioner for Water Resources Development, Rt.Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta, fielded questions from newsmen in his office in Asaba.
Fielding questions from the press, Rt.Hon.(Dr) Martins Okonta assured Deltans that all abandoned public sources of water supply in the state would be reactivated in order to meet the yearnings of Deltans. He said it had become imperative for Deltans to access uninterrupted water supply in the state. The commissioner stated that he would ensure effective implementation of the water law for the overall benefit of the people in the state, adding that there was the need for water to be running in all strategic locations in the state.
Rt.Hon.(Dr) Okonta, who used the opportunity to express his strong determination to impact on the water sector, said that he would soon embark on familiarisation visit to the ministry’s parastatals and zonal offices across the state.
While disclosing that all moribund outstations of the ministry would be reactivated for optimum service delivery, the commissioner appealed to Deltans to always continue to sustain their support for the Okowa administration in its determination to leave enduring legacies of massive development in all parts of the state. He, again, called on the staff of the ministry to shun acts inimical to the progress of the ministry, saying that the staff of the ministry must brace up for effective service delivery just as he stated that he would embrace useful ideas that could contribute to his avowed commitment to give the ministry a face lift.
There is no gainsaying the fact that the new commissioner for Water Resources, based on his vast antecedents, he would add value to the ministry and the present administration. He has started steering the wheel of the leadership of the ministry on a very sound footing to the admiration of the staff of the ministry.
It could be reiterated here, that the Delta State Ministry of Water Resources Development is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the provision of sustainable, affordable and potable water supply, sanitation and hygiene for Deltans and residents in the state.
Considering the concerted efforts of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in the quest to provide sustainable, clean water to Deltans and the enthusiasm of the new commissioner in driving the water sector effectively in order to get more result, all hands must be on deck by the stakeholders so that at the end of the day, the efforts of all and sundry would be crowned with success, that could stand the test of time.
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