Banner Online News

Akpewe cites 47.6% multidimensional poverty figure, unveils Ogboru’s proposed development agenda

By Chukwudi Abiandu

The Delta State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned why poverty persists in the oil-rich state despite its enormous natural resources and revenue potential, challenging political leaders to demonstrate how public wealth has translated into improved living conditions for ordinary citizens.

The party said Delta’s development should be measured not merely by government revenue, budgets and infrastructure projects, but by the availability of jobs, quality education, accessible healthcare, reliable electricity, decent housing and sustainable economic opportunities.

The ADC’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr Fred Akpewe, stated this in an article titled “The Paradox of Plenty: Why Must Poverty Persist in an Oil-Rich State?”, in which he examined the relationship between the state’s natural wealth, public expenditure and the welfare of its people.

Akpewe argued that Delta’s substantial oil and gas resources had not automatically translated into widespread prosperity, insisting that the critical issue was whether public revenue was being converted into measurable improvements in citizens’ lives.

He cited the National Bureau of Statistics’ Multidimensional Poverty Index report published in November 2022, which estimated Delta State’s multidimensional poverty incidence at 47.6 per cent, based on a survey conducted between November 2021 and February 2022.

The report had estimated that 63 per cent of Nigerians, representing approximately 133 million people, were experiencing multidimensional poverty.

Akpewe, however, acknowledged that the Delta figure was historical data from the 2021–2022 survey and should not be interpreted as the state’s current poverty rate.

According to him, the figures nevertheless underscore the need for sustained attention to the economic and social challenges confronting households across the state.

He noted that multidimensional poverty went beyond income levels to include disadvantages in education, healthcare, living standards and other essential aspects of human welfare.

The ADC spokesman maintained that the presence of oil-producing facilities and substantial government revenue could not, by themselves, guarantee employment for graduates, affordable electricity for businesses or adequate medical services for rural communities.

“The ultimate measure of success cannot be the volume of money received or the number of projects announced. It must also be the improvement those resources bring to the everyday lives of citizens,” he argued.

ADC advocates economic diversification

Akpewe identified overdependence on petroleum revenue, inadequate diversification, unemployment, gaps in public service delivery and weak accountability as critical issues requiring attention in Delta’s development strategy.

He called for greater investment in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, manufacturing, tourism, technology and small businesses, arguing that these sectors could generate employment and reduce the state’s dependence on oil-related revenue.

He also urged the government to improve rural roads, support agricultural extension services, expand access to business financing and create a more predictable environment for private investment.

According to him, government cannot directly employ every qualified young person, making it necessary to establish conditions under which businesses can grow, entrepreneurs can thrive and private investors can create sustainable jobs.

On infrastructure, Akpewe said roads, bridges and other major projects remained important but should be assessed by their economic and social impact rather than their physical appearance.

He questioned whether public projects were reducing transportation costs for farmers, improving access to schools and hospitals, stimulating commercial activities and delivering lasting benefits to communities.

He called for a balanced development strategy that also prioritised primary healthcare, public education, potable water, electricity, sanitation and rural development.

Demands accountability for public spending

The ADC spokesman further called for greater transparency in public finance management, insisting that citizens deserved clear information about government revenue, budgetary allocations, procurement, project costs and implementation outcomes.

He said accountability should be supported by accessible budget documents, credible audits, legislative oversight and independent assessments of government programmes.

Akpewe argued that public officials should explain not only how much was spent on employment and empowerment initiatives but also the number of beneficiaries who secured jobs, established businesses or achieved sustainable livelihoods.

He similarly called for measurable assessments of government investments in healthcare and education, including the availability of medical personnel, medicines, equipment, qualified teachers and functional learning facilities.

“Public spending should produce public value,” he maintained, adding that citizens of a state with substantial revenue opportunities should be able to ask legitimate questions about expenditure and receive credible answers.

He also highlighted environmental protection as an essential component of sustainable development, noting that pollution, oil spills, erosion and damage to natural resources could undermine the livelihoods of farming and fishing communities.

He urged government, regulatory agencies, oil companies and other responsible institutions to fulfil their obligations concerning environmental standards, remediation and community welfare.

Ogboru’s governorship ambition offers alternative, says ADC

Turning to the 2027 governorship election, Akpewe presented the ambition of Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, the ADC’s governorship aspirant, as an opportunity to consider an alternative approach to development in Delta State.

He said Ogboru’s proposed “Regenerate, Rebuild Delta” initiative was anchored on breaking the cycle of poverty and building a more prosperous state through productive employment, education, healthcare, decent housing, reliable infrastructure and expanded economic opportunities.

According to Akpewe, the proposed approach would place greater emphasis on sustainable livelihoods and long-term economic development rather than temporary assistance to selected beneficiaries.

He identified the proposed Equal Opportunities Local Government Development Initiative (EOLGDI) as one of the principal components of Ogboru’s development blueprint.

Under the proposal, development programmes would be designed around the economic strengths, resources and specific needs of the state’s 25 local government areas.

Akpewe said the initiative envisaged special intervention funding and an oversight mechanism involving an ombudsman, with the stated objective of promoting more balanced development and reducing disparities between communities.

He argued that such an approach would give greater attention to the economic potential of all local government areas instead of concentrating development opportunities in selected locations.

The ADC spokesman also outlined a proposed N20,000 Community Household Support Initiative, which, according to his description of the manifesto, would cover 1,200 selected individuals or households in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.

The proposal, if implemented as described, would target selected beneficiaries across the state. Akpewe did not provide further details in the article on its proposed funding arrangements, eligibility criteria or implementation timetable.

He added that Ogboru’s economic blueprint envisaged attracting domestic and foreign investment while expanding economic activities in manufacturing, agro-processing, energy, logistics, tourism, construction and the blue economy.

The proposals, he said, were intended to broaden the state’s productive base, generate employment and create more opportunities for residents to benefit from Delta’s economic resources.

2027 candidates must explain their plans, ADC says

Akpewe said the approaching governorship election should provide an opportunity for a serious debate about public revenue, poverty reduction and the quality of life of Deltans.

He urged all governorship aspirants to explain how their proposed policies would address unemployment, improve public services, strengthen local economies and ensure that public spending produced measurable benefits.

He also called on citizens and the media to scrutinise campaign promises, demand evidence and hold elected officials accountable for their commitments.

According to him, Delta’s wealth should not be judged solely by the natural resources beneath its soil or the revenue entering government accounts, but by whether young people could acquire useful skills and secure employment, farmers could earn sustainable incomes, businesses could access reliable electricity and low-income families could afford quality education and healthcare.

He maintained that the state’s development challenge required careful planning, competent administration, economic diversification and sustained public scrutiny, regardless of which political party was in power.

“The ultimate measure of an oil-rich state is not simply how much wealth it produces, but how effectively that wealth creates opportunity, dignity, and a better quality of life for its people,” Akpewe said.

He added that the central question facing Delta State was whether its natural and financial resources could be translated into lasting prosperity for the wider population, insisting that this should remain a major issue in the debate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.