…Says MORE Agenda Working For Deltans
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 socio-economic development across the three senatorial districts.
Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, during a press interview, 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, the 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 provisions 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, I 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 IykeOputa 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 iyiama stream in Ika North East Local Government Area of the state.
