BY PATRICK MGBODO
THE Delta State Government, yesterday, extended an open invitation to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to undertake a facility tour of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s developmental projects, with a call for accurate reporting of their findings.
The invitation, made through a press statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, comes in response to recent criticisms by the APC’s Publicity Secretary in Delta, Valentine Onojeghuo.
The APC spokesman had dismissed the government’s New Year message as lacking substance and claimed that there was little to expect from the administration’s MORE Agenda.
Dr. Osuoza, while addressing the APC’s claims in a statement made available to The Pointer, highlighted several completed and ongoing projects that underscored the administration’s commitment to delivering on its promises.
These include, but not limited to the Warri/Effurun Flyover bridges, the ongoing Asaba-Ughelli expressway with its pivotal Ubu Bridge and multiple drainage and road construction projects in urban and rural areas.
He also drew the opposition’s attention to notable achievements in health, education, and social investment. Among them are the renovation of 150 Primary Health Care Centres, the establishment of new faculties at tertiary institutions, the disbursement of N674 million in bursaries to over 30,000 students, and the expansion of the D-CARES programme from 36,000 to over 250,000 beneficiaries.
“The Oborevwori administration is not just about roads and bridges. It has placed a high premium on social investments and human capital development, empowering thousands through initiatives such as the MORE Grant Scheme and WESAP,” DrOsuoza stated.
In the agricultural sector, the administration has supported over 6,000 farmers with inputs and funding, while targeting 50,000 Agro-preneurs in collaboration with the Africa Development Bank-NEPAD partnership.
Dr Osuoza emphasized that the state’s 2025 budget, with 60 per cent allocated to capital expenditure, demonstrated a commitment to infrastructure and development. He also commended Governor Oborevwori’s readiness to rehabilitate federal roads in the state without waiting for refunds.
In a direct challenge to the APC, Dr Osuoza invited Onojeghuo and his team to inspect these projects firsthand. “As an open government, we welcome the APC to see the developmental strides for themselves, provided they are honest enough to report accurately what they observe.”
“This way they would become fully abreast of the developmental strides of Governor Oborevwori’s administration, rather than rely on rumours or unfounded speculations as their main sources of information.
The information commissioner reiterated that the time for politics was over and urged all stakeholders to focus on governance for the benefit of Deltans. ‘’I need to remind Mr. Valentine Onojeghou that the time for politics is over and now is the time for governance. When the time for politics comes, we will all be ready to play it together.
“Finally, I would like to send my warm New Year greetings to Deltans and also reiterate my earlier statement that Deltans have a lot to expect from the Oborevwori’s administration, as he continues to deliver pragmatic, verifiable, and life-impacting democracy dividends through the very articulate MORE Agenda, for Deltans and Delta State, in 2025”, the state’s spokesman said.
