By Prisca Ogbo
The Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr. Fred Oghenesivbe, yesterday disclosed that the state government is not borrowing to fund mega infrastructure projects, because Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has effectively blocked financial leakages, thus saving billions of Naira for development purposes.
Oghenesivbe disclosed this in Lagos at a radio programme monitored by The Pointer in Asaba, saying that Governor Oborevwori has reduced the state’s debt profile by more than N180 billion, and also saved over N205 billion through prudent management of resources.
Oghenesivbe stated that several billions of Naira saved by the Governor shall be spent on new mega infrastructure projects under the MORE Agenda of this administration, as well as complete all inherited and ongoing projects. He also mentioned that the Governor is keen on increasing financial grants to Artisans, Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) so as to fast-track the socioe-conomic development in the state.
The Delta State Communications Bureau Chief said Delta’s domestic debt decreased from N421.78 billion in Q1 2023 to N334.90 billion in Q1 2024, a 20.62 per cent reduction, noting that from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024, the state’s debts also decreased from N373.41 billion by 10.31 per cent as a result of the good governance, ingenuity and prudent management of the state’s resources by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He assured that, with the declining debt profile of the state, coupled with the billions of Naira saved as surplus from operating costs, “the state is more than ever determined to exit the list of national debtors, progressively enhance rapid economic growth that would create more wealth and jobs for citizens, and further advance Delta in all sectors beyond 2027.
On security, he said the good governance strides of Governor Oborevwori has contributed immensely to the ‘measure of peace enjoyed in the state”, assuring that reported cases of insecurity in some communities are being tackled by the State Command of the Police, and the joint Taskforce on Security.
He further disclosed that the state government is doing the needful by providing necessary assistance to security agencies, to enable them secure the state, protect lives and properties across the nooks and crannies of the state.
