Okowa seeks passage of petroleum industry bill

• Chief judge urges parents to scrutinise children’s sources of wealth

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has urged the National Assembly to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to boost investments in the oil and gas sector.He made the call yesterday in Asaba when the Nigerian Ambassador to Vietnam, Francis Efeduma visited him.

He said: “We will continue to call on the National Assembly to speed up issues concerning the bill because, it is important for further development, particularly in the petro-chemical industry.

“Nigeria is still very attractive for foreign direct investment. We are lucky that as at today, we have been able to stabilise our forex policy with a stable currency, which makes it easier for investors to plan.”

According to him, with well spelt-out rules of engagement in the PIB, there would be increased investments, including the local consumption that would power the energy sources.

He stressed that Delta State was investor-friendly with a lot of potential waiting to be tapped, in diverse areas, including rich soil for the cultivation of rice, palms and cassava.

Meanwhile, the state Chief Judge, Marshal Umukoro has urged parents to scrutinise their children’s sources of wealth before celebrating them.He gave the advice yesterday in Ubulu-Uku, at the launch of the Madonna magazine, published by the Benin Ecclesiastical Province of Catholic Women.

The magazine was part of the events marking the organisation’s 2017 seminar and fund raising.Umukoro, who was the chairman of the occasion, tasked Christian mothers to always do a background check of their daughters’ suitors before giving their consent.

While commending women for their prudent management of homes, perseverance and sacrifice in children’s up-bringing, he charged them to do more.According to him, statistics have shown that the number of divorce cases in the regular and juvenile courts were from broken homes.

Umokoro stressed that this dangerous trend could only be reversed when mothers who are naturally closer to the children tirelessly instill in them from infancy, moral principles, Christian tenets and the spirit of hard work.

His wife, Lizzy, the Chief Registrar of the state High Court of Justice, Mrs. Celestina Dafe and former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Betty Efekoda accompanied him.

Meanwhile, traders in Asaba have urged the Federal Government to initiate robust economic measures to alleviate the plight of the masses.One of their leaders, Blessing Madube said the measures were needed to stem the tide of crime and starvation.According to her, the prices of essential commodities were still high and must be brought down to enable the traders to make profit.