Monthly revenue earned by Delta State Government from the federation account, and Internally Generated Revenue IGR, are deployed judiciously and transparently to provide infrastructure and socioeconomic development across the three senatorial districts.
Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, during a press interview on Sunday, said the clarification became necessary as a result of trending baseless allegations, and fake news making the rounds on social media platforms in connection with the state increasing financial earnings, and the execution of projects for the overall development of the state.
He noted that the state governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has been publicly commended by credible organisations and prominent Deltans, including traditional rulers, as one of the best, and pragmatic governors in Nigeria, in terms of visionary leadership, prudent management of state resources, and provision of grants for the expansion of existing small and medium scale businesses currently impacting positively on the state economy and prosperity of the people.
Dr Oghenesivbe disclosed that the number of completed and ongoing road infrastructure projects in the state is second to none when compared to other states in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for constructive criticism that would further challenge and compel the governor and government to deliver more quality projects and services that would upscale the dividends of democracy for the good people of Delta State.
He noted that the increase in federal revenue allocations to the State, and internally generated revenue had been fractured by inflation which rose from about 20% in April 2023, to between 30% and 36% in the past fourteen months, and which automatically gave rise to cost of governance, construction materials and equipment, meaning that the purchasing power of the Naira is very weak.
The Bureau Chief disclosed that within the past 14 months, governor Oborevwori administration awarded several road infrastructure contracts included ongoing construction of three flyovers and pedestrian bridges at DSC Roundabout, PTI junction, Effurun Roundabout remodelling, Enerhen junction up to Marine Gate, as well as award of contract for the reconstruction of Ohoror-Bomadi Road; construction of Olomoro-Igbide Road; construction of Emevor-Ivrogbo-Orogun Road Phase 2; Otekpo Road in Ellu and Idumu-Etiti Street with a spur to market Road, Owere-Olubo.
Other contracts awarded as the state revenue soared include; the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of failed sections of NNPC Housing Complex Road, Uvwie Local Government Area; Ekeye-Ovedhe close in Okumagba Layout, Warri; General Hospital Road, Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area; Old Sapele/ Warri Road from Amukpe Junction to Ikwuehu, with a spur to Ayemidejor Close in Sapele Local Government Area, and Orerokpe-Okulohor-Oviri Road; and Osubi- Okuokoko road and environs, Phase 1.
Dr Oghenesivbe further stated that governor Oborevwori in a deliberate move to construct additional road networks across the state, also approved the construction of internal roads and drains in Kurutie, Obitobon-Elolo-Ajaokurogbo-Orubu Road Phase 2, Ogidigben; Kurutie internal roads Phase 2; Old Sapele Road to Amukpe to Ikwewu Community with a spur to Ayemidejor Close in Amukpe, Okeye and Iyke Oputa Street, Aboh in Ndokwa East Local Government Area and Issele-Azagba-Otulu road in Aniocha North and South Local Government Areas.
Explaining further, he averred that majority of the contracts awarded by the immediate past administration experienced setbacks as a result of high inflation which affected cost of construction materials and equipment, and that the governor had to approve the upward review of drainage channels from Owa – Alero and environs through Owa – Alizomo and Owa – Ofie to link iyi ama stream in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
Others include review of roads in Effurun and Ekpan in Uwvie Local Government Area, Stadium Road, Ugborodo in Warri South West LGA, phases l and ll of Jeremiah Street, Nwawolo Road/Franca Nkem Okolo Drive/Sir Obiora Obidigwe Street and a discharge drain to Ngozi Ebora Street, Okpanam in Oshimili South, and the balance and additional works for the completion of the dualization of Ughelli/Asaba Road, sector A, kilometer 0+000 to 39+000 with spur to Oleh,” Dr. Osuoza added.
Dr Oghenesivbe further disclosed that the governor also gave approval for upward review of the contract sum for the completion of Ogwashi-Uku to Asaba part of the Ughelli/Asaba Road dualization, completion of the dualization of Ughelli – Asaba Road, Sector C 1, kilometer 92+000 to 117+000, Ossisa to Kwale Junction in Ogwashi-Uku, rehabilitation and asphalt over lay of Oviri Court, Eruiyen, Akugele, Ojedi/Adagbasa Road in Okpe Local Government Area, and several others too numerous to mention here.
He noted that as the state government revenue increased, that of the federal government also increased tremendously, but the government at the centre is still not able to meet her financial obligations due largely to high inflation which consistently fragmented both states and federal government financial resources, and Delta is also caught in this web of hyper inflation.
“Nigeria was embarrassed recently, and still very much embarrassed, when a Chinese firm had to impound the nation’s presidential jets due to inability to service or pay debts.
“In Delta State, we can boldy declare that we have a God-fearing and patriotic governor whose main objective is to ensure that government resources are transparently and judiciously deployed for the overall development of the state, and for the socioeconomic wellbeing of all Deltans irrespective of political or religious affiliation.
“Yes, the state resources increased, but inflation is now a common enemy. Cost of construction materials and equipment skyrocketing on a daily basis, and government had to spend extra billions of Naira to review contracts as explained above.
“The mega Delta State High Court complex was completed by Oborevwori administration, and was recently commissioned by our amiable former President, Dr Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, GCFR. Governor Oborevwori handed over brand new SUVs to all the judges. Government was able to do this because our revenue earnings increased.
“The governor recently inaugurated minimum wage implementation committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, and the State Finance Commissioner, Chief Fidelis Tilije. This also shall be funded from the state treasury, and would obviously deplete the state financial resources.
“Governor Oborevwori recently assured that the state government will partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for the construction of Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road, and bridges, to improve road networks in the riverine communities, and to substantially improve the economy of the state. This requires billions of Naira to fund from the State treasury. The Governor’s scorecard is truly loaded.
“Despite the harsh economy occasioned by hyper inflation, governor Oborevwori has been able to manage the state affairs to the envy of his opponents, political rivals and detractors.
“The level of transparency in spending, and the judicious allocation of public funds is very high in Delta State. All financial leakages blocked in watertight compartment. Delta money is in safe hands.
“When governor Oborevwori was speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, he returned unspent N500million to the state treasury.
“The governor’s pedigree, honesty and examplary character cannot be faulted by any right thinking Deltan or individual, as can be seen from his enviable track records of visionary leadership, and prudent management of financial and material resources.
“It is okay to engage government and governor Oborevwori through constructive criticism, but in the same token, it’s a total disservice to all Deltans for any person or group of persons to unjustly put out fake news, falsehood or media propaganda to cause disaffection between government and the governed, all in the name of opposition politics.
“Deltans are well informed, they know the pedigree of the governor they voted in 2023, and they truly, truly trust their governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori. His good governance strides dots the entire state, and more development coming.
“Governor Oborevwori detractors should fear God, and refrain from unjust and baseless criticism. His scorecard shall remain impressive by the grace of God, and cannot be faulted by any right thinking individual or Deltan.
“The establishment of the Riverine Area Development Agency, is another pass mark for our governor. This shall speed up the development of our riverine communities like never before. It will be funded from the state treasury, because our revenue is increasing. More development to come until the entire state is better for it.
“My governor, your governor and our governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori is consistently justifying the mandate we gave him, and within 14 months his scorecard is excellent, and popularity rating impressive.
“Our governor will continue to do more to Advance Delta beyond 2027. His MORE agenda is working for all Deltans.
“Delta State Treasury is in safe hands, and we are gradually moving towards becoming a debt free state if our revenue keep soaring. Let’s continue to support and pray for our governor,” Oghenesivbe said.
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