- Says Gov Determined To ‘Give Deltans Better Deal’
By Prisca Ogbo
The Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou has said that the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is running a transparent administration with significant impact on all parts of the state.
Briefing newsmen in his office, yesterday, in Asaba, the Executive Assistant on New Media, disclosed that the state government has spent N130 billion on debt payments as at the end of March this year. He said that the payments were out of the N465bn existing debt.
The Executive Assistant, who was flanked by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Executive Assistant on Media, Mr. Norbert Chiazor and Senior Special Assistant, New Media, Mr. Dennis Otu disclosed that at the end of 2023, an operating balance of the sum of N205 billion was also left in the coffers of the state government for the execution of developmental projects
He said that without borrowing money since he came into office, the Governor had embarked on massive developmental projects across the state, saying that the Governor was determined to give Deltans a better deal.
According to him, “Governor Oborevwori inherited a debt of N465 billion and by March paid N130 billion.
“Our Governor has considered that for every debt you owe, you are putting a chain not on yourself but for generations yet unborn.
“As a demonstration of this empathy, he says Deltans should be free of debt burden and he is taking deliberate steps to liquidate the debts. He is very prudent and transparency is his watchword.”
He also said that; “talking of local government autonomy, the Governor announced that for the three months we had HPMs running the councils he did not touch the funds of the local governments.”
“That is the kind of Governor that we have.”
“There is no gain saying that Delta has been transformed into a construction site. We are not talking of two or three years; we are talking of one year. Under one year, the Governor has turned Warri around. For the first time in the history of Delta State, Julius Berger is on ground and they are doing marvelous work in Warri. The storm drainage in Warri is going on as planned. There are countless road projects”, Mr Ofou added.
He said that the governor had continued with completion of all inherited projects as well as initiated 71 new road projects across the state.
According to Ofou, every project initiated by the governor had financial backings.
“Oborevwori is known for his prudence and financial discipline.
“As attested by former President Goodluck Jonathan while inaugurating the ultramodern Judiciary complex in Asaba, Oborevwori returned N500 million to state coffers at the end of his tenure as Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
“The governor also demonstrated prudence and integrity when he left and handed over three months local government council allocation of N14 billion to the newly elected Chairmen in the state.”
He lauded the governor’s commitment to welfare of state workers and his empowerment programmes for the Girl-Child, artisans, persons with disabilities and the indigents resident in the state.
“In spite of the numerous completed and ongoing projects, N78 billion Warri/Effurun Julius Berger project, Ughelli/Asaba Dualisation road project, the N40 billion loan LG council workers’ pension relief, engagement of over 2000 teaching and non – teaching primary school staff, Oborevwori has not borrowed a dime.”
He also listed massive work in the state owned new three universities and other sundry projects
Ofou said the governor’s M.O.R.E Agenda mantra was an umbrella for youths, Women, Girl Child and all classes of persons, adding that the governor’s philosophy spiked development in all three senatorial districts of the state.
“No part of Delta is neglected; aside all ongoing projects, Warri and environs have been turned into construction site with roads and storm drainages constructed.
“In Delta-North, work on Ughelli/Asaba road is moving at a fast stage; Beneku bridge is 95 per cent complete; the Isheagwu bridge, Ibusa/Okpanam bypass, other massive roads projects are visible imprint of the administration,’’ he said.
