The Delta State Government has said it has consistently taken strategic steps over the years to boost national revenue by ensuring peace and development in oil-producing communities across the state. The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, stated this during an interview on Channels TV Politics Today on Friday night.
Aniagwu, responding to comments made by a Delta APC stalwart, Collins Eselemo, emphasized that Delta State could not have emerged as the country’s highest oil-producing state without investing in the in the peace and development of its oil-producing communities.
According to Aniagwu, “Governor Oborevwori has brought significant development to our state.
“Former Governor Okowa did not commission the Ogulaha-Okonti-Odimodi Road, as claimed. However, Okowa constructed and inaugurated the 20.29km Obotobo I, Obotobo II, Sokebulou, and Yokiri roads in Ogulagha, Burutu Local Government Area.
“Eselemo fails to understand that the people living in the creeks have homes there. They own vehicles and need accessible roads. One of the key reasons we have not experienced significant pipeline vandalism in Delta is that we extended development to the creeks, where most of the oil is extracted.
“Previously, they would tell the people that development was only on paper, confined to pipeline areas. But instead of keeping development in the pipeline, the Delta State Government, starting with Okowa’s administration and now deepened by Governor Oborevwori, took development directly to the people.
“Eselemo questions the economic importance of developing the creeks, but that is precisely why Delta is a leading oil-producing state, because our brothers and sisters in the creeks have been empowered and included.
“He is asking why we develop those areas. It’s a shameful question. Imagine how shallow his reasoning is, especially coming from someone who is himself from the creeks.”
The commissioner also mentioned that Governor Oborevwori’s leadership facilitated the defection of former PDP members in the state to the APC to drive further development.
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