[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he controversial sale of Delta Line, the flagship of Delta State in the transportation sector was one shrouded in political abracadabra. Delta Line with a massive goodwill and reputation built over the years, with over 100 terminals across the country and well over 1200 units of modern buses was sold for N160 million to God is Good Motors as against the sum of N2 billion offered by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).
The concession agreement between the Delta State government, and God is Good Motors, on the state transport company, Delta Line Transport Company, has continued to generate controversy seven months after the deal.“Congress however implores the Delta State Government to explain the current situation of Delta Line Transport Company since it was concessioned to God Is Good Motors with a view to highlighting how much value has been added to the company.”The government had last year divested 60% equity to the private transport company in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement that saw the government retaining 40 per cent.
Rising from the State Congress of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, a communique signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Churchill Oyowe, dated 15th March, 2018 was issued urging the Okowa-led administration to explain the state of the Delta Line/God is Good concessioning to Deltans whose common patrimony has been allegedly bargained out to settle friends and political associates.
Chairman, God is Good Motors Limited, Mr Chidi Ajaere Tours Delta State Officials on controversial future Delta Line Bus in September 2017.The sooner the Okowa administration comes clean on the truth of the concessioning of Delta State, the better. Truth, like a live coal of fire cannot for long be hid in the pocket.
NUJ however commended the state government for taking re-awarding failed projects at the Asaba International Airport and the deplorable Maryam Babangida Way in Asaba (where the union’s secretariat under construction is located), to another contractor.
It also lauded the government “for its effort at finding lasting solution to the perennial flood in Asaba through the construction of deep drains and giving priority attention to construction/rehabilitation of major roads in Asaba capital territory.”
The union condemned in strong terms, alleged killings by herdsmen in parts of the state, and urged the state government “to synergize with relevant security agencies in the to urgently address” the ugly trend and forestall the situation from degenerating to full blown crisis.
It further condemned “the attitude of some security agents who willfully molest members of the NUJ in the course of performing their legitimate duty,” explaining that “just as the security agents are constitutionally empowered to do their job that is how journalists are also backed to carry out their assigned roles. Hence, both parties should see themselves as partners in progress and urged journalists practicing in the state to rededicate themselves to the ideals of the profession.
Source: Grassroots Publishers