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Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, in this interview by KUNLE ODEREMI, speaks on governance in the state in the last 18 months in terms of efforts on infrastructure, health care, security of lives and properties, as well as other critical sectors. EXCERPTS:

WHAT is the progress report on the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the last one and a half years in Delta State?

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is doing wonderfully well and Deltans appreciate what he has done. He is so passionate about Delta and Deltans. As you are already aware, Governor Oborevwori is passionate about providing Deltans and residents with good governance in a dimension that will keep Delta State ahead in all aspects of social and economic wellbeing. Our amiable governor is already achieving this vision as he runs an open, responsive government that meets the needs and aspirations of our people through infrastructure development, growth in human capital and improved social harmony. The governor has encapsulated his vision and mission in what is popularly known today across Delta State as the M.O.R.E. Agenda. This agenda stands for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security in the state. Soon after taking the oath of office as governor, he hit the ground running. He made Deltans proud when he decided to complete all inherited projects, even as he also introduced new projects critical to economic well being of the people. On inauguration day, May 29, 2023, Rt. Honourable Sheriff Francis Orhowedo Oborevwori made a solemn vow saying: ‘I will be a Governor for all Deltans, and Deltans will witness M.O.R.E development.’ Today, his administration represents a beacon of progress and an era of substantial infrastructure development, which is reshaping the state’s socio-economic landscape and transforming communities and lives of the people. So, the governor

In what specific areas has the governor been able to make a significant difference given the trajectories of the state?

The administration has made significant strides in various sectors, showcasing a commitment to improving the lives of its citizens and driving sustainable development. From addressing pension backlog and promoting labor-friendly policies to embarking on ambitious infrastructure projects and enhancing healthcare and education, the administration has left an indelible mark on the sands of time. A closer look at the administration’s key accomplishments and initiatives indicate that it has strategically repositioned the public service to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. Apart from disbursing over N5.5 billion to over 23,887 public servants to clear promotion arrears, the administration facilitated prompt career progression and promotion for officers as at when due. Over 3,000 teaching staff were recruited across the 25 Local Government Areas to address workforce gaps. Training and retraining for workers and improved service delivery have become the norm in the state public service. In addition, the administration is committed to prompt payment of pension benefits to retiring and retired personnel of Delta State’s workforce so as to ensure financial security for retirees. The administration has released a total sum of N14, 490,408,331.43, as pension benefits for pensioners as of August, 2024. It also guaranteed a loan of N40 billion for the local government councils to clear pension backlog of local government retirees.

A major issue concerning governance in the country is the huge deficit evident in infrastructure. To what extent has the government tried to bridge the gap?

One of the most visible achievements of Governor Oborevwori’s administration is the remarkable progress in infrastructure development delivered with the inauguration of the ultra-modern High Court complex by Dr Goodluck Jonathan, former president of the country. The ongoing construction of three mega flyovers, cloverleaf and road expansion works in Warri, Effurun and environs also represent a significant and historic milestone in the state’s road infrastructure development. These projects when completed would, besides their aesthetic values, ease traffic congestion in the Warri South, Uvwie and Udu areas. The Okpanam-Ibusa Bypass which has been inaugurated is another landmark road project that has improved traffic flow on the Asaba-Benin Road and eased the gridlock that travellers faced passing through Asaba metropolis. Some other road projects across the state include: Ughelli-Asaba Expressway project, trans-Warri-Ode Itsekiri roads and bridges; Bedeseigha bridge, Nsukwa-Umute–Adonte road, Orere Agbarho Otokutu Link Road; Ohorhe-Adagbarasa-Ugolo-Okuodiete Road, Kwale-Beneku Bridge; Issele-Azagba-Otulu Road; Upper And Lower Erejuwa Road;Esisi Road Corridor, Emevor-Orogun Road Phase I and II; Ohoror-Bomadi Road; Olomoro-Igbide Road; Otekpo Road In Ellu; Strom Drainage Channel from Owa-Alero-Owa-Alizimor-Owa-Afie to link Iyi-Amah stream, Idumu-Etiti Street with a spur to Market Road, Owere-Olubo, asphalt overlay of failed sections of NNPC Housing complex road, Ekeye-Ovedhe Close In Okumagba Layout, Warri; General Hospital Road; Old Sapele/Warri Road from Amukpe Junction To Ikwuehu, with a spur to Ayemidejor Close In Sapele Local Government Area; Orerokpe-Okulohor-Oviri Road; Osubi- Okuokoko Road and environs, Phase 1. Internal Roads and drains In Kurutie, Phase Iⅈ Obitobo-Elolo-Ajaokurogbo-Orubu Road Phase 2, Ogidigben; Okeye And Iyke Oputa Street, Aboh; Kokodiagbene community road in Warri South West LGA, Urueode Internal Roads in Ofagbe, Umutu–Eku Road and Agboghor Road in Odorubu Town, Patani LGA.

Unemployment among the youth makes them vulnerable to crime and other social vices, a situation that has continued to be of huge concern to Nigerians. How has the governor approached the challenge of youth unemployment in Delta?

Well, the governor’s social investment programmes and job creation Initiatives took off with the launch of the M.O.R.E. Grants Scheme for petty traders, artisans, and female entrepreneurs in 2024 with 5,426 beneficiaries from poor and vulnerable households comprising 1,600 petty traders, 1,826 artisans and 2,000 female entrepreneurs across the state. This scheme represented a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change, as it provided critical resources that would help them scale up their businesses and improve their livelihood. D-CARES: In its determination to ensure that Deltans, regardless of their background or political affiliation, do not unduly suffer the effects of the economic hardship in the country, the administration, through the Delta Covid 19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES) programme, has empowered over 208,000 beneficiaries. The aim is to expand their enterprises, enable them to create wealth, improve their living conditions and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of the state. To actualise the Sustainable Agricultural Sector initiatives of the Realistic Reforms component of the M.O.R.E Agenda, the state government has provided agricultural inputs to 6,020 farmers under the Result Area 2 – FADAMA (Food Security) of the Delta Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, D-CARES. It has also released one billion naira counterpart funding for the Africa Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture.

Another critical sector is health. There is a link between health and human productivity. Is the level of attention being paid to the sector by the government is in sync with the needs of the people, and how?

The administration is committed to improved healthcare services and facilities for the people of the state. To achieve this, it has so far released over N3 billion for the purchase of ultra-modern equipment, including radiotherapy light, incubators, beds and surgical equipment for the state general hospitals. Also, the administration has purchased two Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning machines, one each for Central Hospital, Warri, and Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara. In addition, government renovated over 150 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) across the state. Other initiatives include upgrade of 250 healthcare centres, approval for replacement of doctors, nurses and other health workers leaving the state; digitalization of the hospitals with the introduction of electronic medical record system to reduce patient’s time at the hospitals; over two million enrollees of the state’s Contributory Health Insurance Scheme; construction of College of Health Technology in Ovrode.

Many stakeholders claim the standard of education, especially at the tertiary level in the country is less than desired. How has the government made efforts to raise the bar in the area of education?

Towards creating an enabling and conducive learning environment in tertiary institutions, several projects have commenced at the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro; University of Delta, Agbor; Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba and the University of Science and Technology, Ozoro [Orerokpe campus]. These projects include the construction of the College of Health Sciences in the Delta State University of Science And Technology, Ozoro and Lecture Halls at the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko among others. The administration has also disbursed a total of N674 million as bursary payments to over 30,000 students of Delta State origin studying in tertiary institutions across the country. This is to help ease the financial burden on students and promoting access to education. Also, the administration has given financial assistance to Deltans in the Nigerian Law Schools. In addition, it has also paid the sum of N3.55 billion as counterpart funding for the 2024 Universal Basic Education [UBE] Programme. To enhance more platforms for educational opportunities for Deltans, the administration has also provided the enabling environment for newly established federal universities to thrive. Thus, the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Kwale, got 215 hectares of land and Federal University of Petroleum Resources, FUPRE, Resource Centre at Isiokolo got 123.2 hectares of land.

The primary function of government is the guarantee of lives and properties of the citizens. It is sine qo non for peace, prosperity and development. What is the experience of the current administration, given the fact that Delta is on the frontline in the Niger Delta with its security challenges?

The administration’s commitment towards fulfilling the Enhanced Peace and Security Component of the M.O.R.E Agenda is enhancing peace and security through strategic partnerships with security agencies across the state. It has also taken proactive measures to safeguard lives and properties and this has made the state one of the safest in the country. The Administration has also resolved land disputes across the state. The age-long Aladja-Ogbe Ijoh dispute is a case in point.

Delta is known for doing well in the world of sports; from athletics to football and other games. But that has not been the case over the years….

Delta State has become the Mecca of Sports in Nigeria by sustaining the tradition of hosting national competitions and tournaments, with the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba as the flagship venue for hosting these events. Delta has also excelled in sports and sports management as exhibited during the 8th National Youths Games #NYG Asaba, 2024 with over 6.000 athletes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory [FCT], Abuja, all converged and adequately accommodated in the state capital, competing for medals. Delta State came tops, with a total of 111 medals consisting of 46 gold, 31 silver and 34 bronze medals. Lagos State came second, with a total of 65 medals – 26 gold, 20 silver and 19 bronze while Edo State came third with 18 gold, 13 silver and 28 bronze medals. Delta remains the only state that has won the competition since inception in 2013. The administration has also initiated plans to construct a world-class stadium in Warri to improve sports development in the state and ensure that the state maintains its premium place in the annals of sports in the country. So, Governor Oborevwori is quietly but steadily keeping his promise to Deltans, delivering important infrastructure and meaningful development projects at critical places, where they will impact positively on the lives of our people and bring smiles and a sense of belonging to these communities. As Governor Sheriff Oborevwori said: ‘I am here to serve the people. I want to do what I will be remembered for. Together, we are building a more resilient Delta, one that is prepared to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.’ Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is a promise keeper, fulfilling his campaign promises with his pragmatic leadership style, astute and strategic administrative acumen, transparency, accountability, and hands-on approach in the delivery of the M.O.R.E Agenda to Deltans.

* Culled from: tribuneonlineng,com