•Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State
The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has called on the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Francis Orowhedor Oborevwori to enact a law to curb influx of quacks and uncertified persons in the discharge of professional services in the state.
Rising from its 2025 retreat cum public lecture and awards ceremony themed:” The Role of Professionals in the Successful Implementation of the Delta State M.O.R.E. Agenda”, the APBN, Delta State Chapter emphasised that the state government should enact a law that empowers professional bodies in collaboration with government’s enforcement agencies to curb the influx of quacks and uncertified persons in the discharge of professional services, reports Nigerian Tribune.
Discourse at the retreat focused on the need for collaboration by professionals with the Delta State Government in the areas of generation of top-notch ideas, human resources development, physical planning, spatial management as well as seamless revenue generation for the allround development of the state.
As part of resolutions contained in a communique issued and signed by the Chairman, APBN, Delta State Chapter, Surv. Victor Ezie and the Secretary, Mr. Felix Erure, professional bodies were urged to intensify their advocacy initiatives on the dangers of engaging uncertified persons and quacks to undertake professional jobs both in the private and public sectors.
“Delta State Government should ensure that only licensed professionals are allowed to practice at the private and especially in the public sectors.
“Government should discourage the engagement of non-state actors but rather engage the services of certified tax professionals in revenue drive and generation in the state,” the communique read.
The group enjoined the Delta State Government, as a matter of urgency, to address the challenges of multiple taxation and the associated bureaucratic bottlenecks which hinder the Ease of Doing Business in the state.
Over 200 participants at the APBN’s retreat tasked the association to adopt strategy aimed at ensuring that the state government gets maximum benefits from her investments in the training of professionals within the civil service fold.
According to the communique, professional bodies of allied sectors should collaborate in positive and progressive synergy in order to speak with one voice in the generation of ideas to guide developments as well as the review of government’s policies and proffer proper advice where relevant.
The association was advised to interface with the Delta State Government to establish a Research and Development Centre to promote innovative solutions targeted at solving multifaceted developmental challenges confronting the state.
“There is the urgent need to digitalise all ministries, parastatals, departments and agencies of government in order to ensure effective information tracking system and proper data management through the engagement of ICT and allied professionals,” the communique read.
The state government was urged to collaborate with professional bodies to organize workshops for training and retraining of public staff on current and best global practices for effective service.
The delegates unanimously resolved that the Delta State government should prioritise the commissioning of master plans, starting with the Asaba Master Plan and the Warri/Effurun Master Plan, and subsequently extending to other cities / major towns.
These master plans, the delegates said would serve as comprehensive structured blueprints to facilitate the actualization of the government’s M.O.R.E. agenda to ensure continuity.
“In as much as government is improving on road network in the state, it is also pertinent that sanitation especially in the areas of provision of incinerators at strategic locations be given urgent attention in order to properly dispose toxic wastes and attract investors to the state,” it read.
Chairman of APBN Delta State Chapter: Surv. Victor Ezie, gave the welcome address; Chief Solomon Ighrakpata, Executive Chairman Delta State Internal Revenue Services, represented by Mr Paul Itawansa (Executive Assistant Technical, to the Chairman) spoke on the topic, “Government and Professional Partnership in Internal Revenue Generation”, while Paul Akporowho, a town planner, delivered a paper on the topic: “Master Plan as a Critical Document in Achieving Government Policies and Programmes”.
The retreat had over 200 delegates comprising of chairmen and members of 21 professional bodies in attendance. Awards were also given to distinguished professionals and individuals.
