Mr. Benafa Penakeme Michael Gilbert

Honourable Commissioner for Transport

DIRECTORATR OF TRANSPORT

Mr. Benafa Penakeme Michael Gilbert was born on 21st February 1955. He is from Ojobo in Burutu L.G.A. of Delta State. In 1976 he obtain G.C.E. Advanced Level. From 1978-1982 he attended the University of Benin where he bagged a B.Sc (Bus. Admin.) Second Class Honours (Upper Division).

WORK EXPERIENCE

From 1975 to 1977 he worked in Nigeria Ports Authority, Warri as Assistant Security Officer (1976), Security Officer(1977), Head Intelligence Unit, NPA Burutu(1977). 1983 to 1985 saw him as a Lecturer at College OF Education, Warri. From 1985 to 1989 he was Financial Controller, Okuboama Shipping Company West Africa Limited. Before being appointed a Commissioner he was Managing Director Pepic Heights Industries Limited, Warri. (Construction / Manufacturing Firm) and BEN-AFA (NIG.) LTD WARRI (Engineering Works/Civil Construction and Environmental Services). These firms undertook the Construction of roads and drainages; Constructions of concrete landing jetties and bridges; Environmental Services( Erosion/Flood Control Projects, Sanitation & Refuse Disposal Services, Pollution clean up services); Water Projects in urban & rural settlements; Electrification Projects; Sand filling (Land Reclamations); Construction of helipads, and various Buildings projects.

POLITICAL POSTS HELD

He has been quite active in politics since 1983 when he was the U.P.N. candidate for Bendel State House of Assembly general elections (Burutu South Constituency); in 1994 he was Council Chairmanship aspirant in the platform of SDP for the void February 1994 elections; Leader of PDP in Burutu Local Government Area from 1998 to 2002 and November 2003 to date; He was the Patron Ibori Vanguard, Burutu chapter; Chairman, defunct political association Liberal Convention in Burutu; Deputy Governorship candidate Delta state in the platform of UNPP, for the 19th April 2003 general elections; Member, Youths Mobilization Committee , Delta State PDP campaign organisation (2007).

OTHER POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITIES

(I) Secretary, Niger Delta Contractors Association from 1999 to 2001. (ii) Chairman, Environmental Sanitation Contractors Association, Warri-Effurun from 1985 to1991 (iii) Chairman, Employment And Scholarship Committee, Izon Oil Producing Communities Forum, February 1997 to March 1999. (V) President, Ijaw Political Awareness Movement from 1983 to 1990.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS:

(I) Originated a private pilot refuse disposal scheme in Warri which informed the Bendel state Edit of compulsory house to house disposal system for all urban centres and local government headquarters in 1987.(ii) One of the two that initiated and founded Izon National Congress (INC) for Izon unity in 1986.(iii) He was the Ijaw co-ordinator for Delta State creation movement in 1987 to 1991.

PUBLICATIONS/PAPERS PRESENTED:

(i) Might Of Progress (1983);

(ii) The Impacts Of Oil Exploration And Production On Ojobo Community - A Cost Benefit Analysis (1983)

(iii) Two Party System And Party Sponsored Executive Cum Independent Legislature: A Contribution To The National Debate For A Viable Political Order 17th September, 1986.

He enjoys reading and writing. He is married with Children

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