The Convener of Bridge Builders, a political pressure group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ika South Local Government Chapter, Mr. Peter Idion has applauded the Delta State Government for taking a pro-active measure aimed at resuscitating the hitherto ailing Delta Line Transport Company through the partial privatization of the company.
Idion who was speaking during an enlarged meeting of the Bridge Builders whose membership cuts across all the political wards in the area, said that the decision of the state government to partner with God Is Good Motors, a reputable transport company, in repositioning Delta Line for enhanced productivity was quite germane, “considering the fact that the company has not done well despite government’s huge investment in it.”
According to him, government has no business running a transport company, adding that, Delta Line has, over the years, faced serious challenges resulting in outright decline of its service delivery due to poor management, poor work ethics and personal aggrandizement.
He disclosed that the state government had intermittently invested millions of naira to salvage the company, pointing out that a few years ago, 200 buses were procured for the company, “but unfortunately, most of the vehicles have either disappeared or are in state of disrepair."
Speaking further, Mr Idion explained that NLC can not manage Delta line because union is not experienced to run transportation company. "Take the instance of the buses donated by Chief Obasanjo and Jonathan regime. What happened to the buses till date? While some private transport companies are still on course. It's beyond mere saying I have N2 billion. Where is the evidence to show you have the money? Anybody who does not support what the government has done must be insane as it concerns delta line, he queried
The convener while congratulating the state government for reversing the increase on the payment of school fees by DELSU management, he said, " It shows that Gov Okowa is a listening Governor. Gov Okowa is a compassionate human being".
On the payment of retirement benefits to retirees in the state, Idion who is, also, a Senior Special Assistant to Delta State governor on Community Relations, said “going by the statistics released recently by the Chairman, State Bureau of Pensions, Mrs. Christiana Siakpere, the Okowa administration has done well as over N2.7 billion has so far been paid to 418 retirees in this 2017 fiscal year in the face of the present economic situation in the country.
He, therefore, urged retirees who were yet to get their retirement benefits to exercise patience with the government as they would certainly get their entitlements.
Also speaking during the meeting which was held at Mr. Idion’s residence in Agbor, the Chairman of the Bridge Builders, Hon. Chuks Emuebie said that Deltans were very comfortable with the faithful implementation of the SMART Agenda of the Okowa’s administration in the state, adding that more people from the opposition party in different parts of the state were decamping enmasse to the Peoples Democratic Party because of the way the PDP government is piloting the affairs of the state.
