BY AWELE OGBOGU
Smarting from its enforcement of a recent marching order by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori to PSP operators to evacuate wastes in Asaba, the state capital within seven days, the Executive Chairman of Delta State Waste Management Board, Hon. Matthew Mofe Edema, has sent a clear signal to staff on changing their attitudes for the realization of a cleaner Delta State in line with the MORE Agenda.
Saying there is a “new Sheriff” in the Delta State Waste Management Board, referring to a renewed focus on performance, Edema charged supervisors from the zones and workers in different departments, during a familiarization meeting held in the state capital, yesterday, to effectively carry out their responsibilities for a cleaner Delta State. “We are not for Asaba alone but the entire state. That is why we have pilot zones we operate from and to you from these pilot zones, you must have an improved attitude to work. That is the major reason for this meeting because our attitudes need to change.” Sitting alongside the Executive Chairman who is from Delta South were the Member representing Delta Central, Hon. Felix Erhimedafe, Member representing Delta North, Hon. Igbinije Ndudi Cosmas. Supervisors in attendance came from Udu, Abraka, Uvwie, Obiaruku, Ughelli, Warri South, Ozoro, Kwale, among other parts of the state. During the meeting, held in the form of an interactive session, the conversation centred around measurable productivity by the staff, recognizing performance and eschewing abandonment of duty and other forms of insubordination.
“I come to work at 7am every day. I’m not asking you to also come to work as early as 7am, but it serves as a useful lesson. It does not mean that was when I left home because I leave much earlier, which operations can attest to and I drive round myself.”
To the supervisors, he said “you cannot say you are a supervisor and claim that a place has been taken care of but it was not properly done. I go round myself and come back to the office and I pick operations and we go round spot A, B, C and so on and I ask necessary questions. I also carry files myself to the DA because I want the job done. That is to tell you that change has come to the Board and it requires you to change your attitudes.”
He urged the supervisors to direct the consultants but not to be overzealous, while using the opportunity provided by the interactive meeting to rethink their seriousness for enhanced output. He emphasized the need for measurable productivity standards for all workers in the Delta State Waste Management Board.
Edema called on staff to feel free to air their views for improved performance, as no one would be victimized. “I am happy that requests are already coming in from different zones because they know that the person who is here now loves work. They know I will act on it. While I’m not asking you to override the bosses, feel free to call me if you think you have better ideas on how to solve the problems.
In addition, the Member representing Delta North, Hon. Igbinije Cosmas said this is their first rainy season, having been inaugurated in December 2023, but the new board has done a lot to combat challenges associated with the rains, while assuring that they would be prepared ahead of next rainy season.
He said the new board, led by Hon. Edema is geared towards enhancing relations between PSP operators and clients, while improving the mindset of Deltans towards a cleaner environment that would help in the realization of the MORE Agenda.
