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The Chief Executive Officer of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, disclosed on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 that the state government is not borrowing money to fund mega infrastructure projects, because Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had efficiently blocked financial leakages, and saved billions of Naira within one year and two months in office.

He made the disclosure in Lagos on Tuesday, during a public affairs radio programme, saying that Governor Oborevwori has reduced the state debt profile with more than N180 billion, and also saved over N205 billion through prudent management of operating cost.

Oghenesivbe stated that several billions of Naira saved by the governor within the said period and consistently, shall be spent on new mega infrastructure projects under the MORE Agenda of this administration, complete inherited and ongoing projects, increase financial grants to Artisans, Small and Medium scale businesses that would fast-track socioeconomic development in the state.

Armed with latest facts and figures from the Federal Debt Management Office, DMO, the Delta State 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% decrease, noting that from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024, the State debt also decreased from N373.41 billion by 10.31% as a result of the good governance ingenuity and prudent management of the state resources by governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Oghenesivbe who doubles as the Executive Assistant on Communications to Governor Oborevwori, assured that the declining debt profile of the state, coupled with the billions of Naira saved as surplus from operating cost, 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 State Security, Dr Latimore said the good governance strides of governor Oborevwori has contributed immensely to the good 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 Nigerian Police, and the joint taskforce on Security.

He further disclosed that the state government and the governor are doing the needful by providing necessary assistance to security agencies, to enable them secure the state, protect life and property, noting that there is no country, state or local government anywhere in the world that is absolutely crime free, including developed nations like America, United Kingdom, Europe and Asia.

Oghenesivbe noted that sin, crime and sanctions evolved after God created Adam and Eve, adding that there was, and still the need for a deliberate amendment of the Nigerian Constitution to accommodate provisions for the creation of State Police, and a well structured security architecture wherein heads of security agencies take orders and directives from their governors.

He pointed out that under the current arrangement, a state governor cannot hire, fire or even issue official queries to heads of security agencies serving in his state, because they take orders and direct instructions from either their zonal bosses or directly from their superiors in Abuja.

“Delta State, as we speak, is making substantial progress in debt payment and servicing through prudent management of state resources by this administration.

“Our amiable governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has drastically reduced the state debt profile with over N180billion within one year and two months in office, and counting.

“Within the same period, a whopping sum of over N205 billion was saved as surplus from operating cost. It has never happened since the creation of Delta State. These resources are now being used to fund new mega construction projects, completion of inherited and ongoing projects across the three senatorial districts; Delta Central, North and South, respectively.

“Since May 29, 2023 till date, governor Oborevwori had governed the state efficiently with available financial resources without approaching any bank or financial institution for loan or credit facility.

“In my view, our governor deserved commendation from all well meaning Deltans, including his detractors and political rivals in the opposition political parties.

“Politics is not about criticisms alone, but also about commending an elected representatives whenever he or she does the right thing or accomplishing uncommon socioeconomic results. Governor Oborevwori is a genius in the area of prudent management of resources.

“He has ensured that Delta is running smoothly without increasing the state debt burden, rather he’s reducing it rapidly. We can’t thank God enough for giving us a governor that is allergic to debts and frivolous spending.

“Reports on insecurity in some communities in the state is being addressed headlong by the security agencies, and the state Police Command. They are doing a great job, but we are appealing to them to do more.

“Crime rate is rapidly increasing across Nigeria, and Delta is not spared, due to the economic hardship majority of Nigerians are going through, occasioned by the anti people economic policies of the federal government. Inflation rate is now over 37%, the highest since we got independence in 1960. We honestly deserve a better country.

“State police can only be introduced via constitutional amendments to enable the state governors direct and control the actions and inactions of heads of security agencies. This is necessary for us to achieve effective policing in Nigeria.

“As it is today, the governors are mere Chief Security Officers of their respective State without power to hire, fire or even discipline erring heads of security Agencies. The state governors can only appeal to them, assist the agencies to do their jobs, and nothing more.

“In Nigeria, we need to amend the constitution to give more powers to State Governors in the area of security. Presently, they are CSOs without powers to direct and control heads of security agencies in their respective state.

“The establishment of security agencies should be in the Exclusive and Concurrent Legislative List, to make state policing more effective,” Oghenesivbe averred.