*Approves CONLESS For Delta Assembly Workers, N15,000 Stipend For Widows
*Earmarks 42 Projects for Inauguration, Gets Confidence Vote, Commendation From Assembly
*Journalists Locked Out Of Assembly Complex For Lateness
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on Wednesday, May 28, said his administration has empowered over 266,737 Deltans through various social intervention and empowerment programmes across the state.
Oborevwori stated that his administration has been deliberate, intentional and proactive in providing a safety net for vulnerable groups through well-targeted social protection initiatives, particularly in light of the current economic challenges.
He added that the beneficiaries were empowered through several programmes, including the Delta CARES (D-CARES) Programme, Women Empowerment and Skill Acquisition Programme (WESAP), Working Fingers Initiative, MORE Grants Scheme, MORE Biz-Up Programme, and the Widows Welfare Scheme.
The governor, while reeling out his achievements ahead of his second anniversary in office on May 29, during his ‘State of the State’ address to members of the House of Assembly at the Assembly Complex in Asaba, explained that under the D-CARES Programme, 247,000 Deltans have been empowered, noting that the release of N1billion as counterpart funding for the African Union Development Agency–New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) has supported 2,000 farmers engaged in food production, livestock, and aquaculture.
He disclosed that 220 women were recently trained in fashion design, hairdressing, catering, decoration, event management, makeup and gele tying under the WESAP initiative, which was extended to 91 people living with disabilities, who were trained in ICT, confectionery, fashion design and leatherwork.
He stated: “We also distributed fertilizers to farmers across the 25 local government areas of the state to support our efforts in ensuring food security.”
Appreciating the Speaker, Emomotimi Guwor, and members of the Legislature for maintaining an excellent relationship with the Executive, Oborevwori said the achievements of his administration would not have been possible without the support and cooperation among the arms of government.
He stated: “I consider myself fortunate to work with a Legislature that is genuinely committed to partnering with the Executive to achieve its goals. The relationship between this House and my office has been marked by trust, mutual understanding, transparency and accountability.
“At this point, I would like to briefly address the issue of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS).
“As a former Speaker, I support the new salary scale. However, due to the introduction of a new minimum wage, this administration needed to conduct due diligence before making a decision.
“I am pleased to announce that I have approved the payment of CONLESS, effective June 2025. I thank the workers and their leaders for their patience, understanding, and support.”
He unveiled several projects undertaken or completed by his administration, including rural and urban roads and bridges spread across the local councils and the three senatorial districts.
Oborevwori said the mid-term report reflects the philosophy of the MORE agenda, which is driven by the core values of servant leadership, transparency, accountability, innovation and excellence, recalling that upon assuming office on May 29, 2023, he presented a roadmap for growing the economy, maintaining fiscal responsibility, enhancing a focused and efficient civil service, promoting investment, supporting social enterprises and ensuring that the poor and vulnerable benefit from government policies and programmes.
He stated that his purpose at the Assembly was to report on the progress made and to offer a glimpse of what to expect in the remaining two years of the administration.
In response and for his prudent management of the state resources, the Assembly passed a vote of confidence in the governor through a resolution, following a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Arthur Akpowowo, and seconded by the member representing Uvwie State Constituency, Edafe Emakpor.
The House also commended the governor for what it described as his visionary and transformational leadership, effective financial stewardship and firm commitment to human capital development across the state, following a motion moved by the Leader of the House, Emeka Nwaobi, and seconded by Ferguson Onwo, representing Isoko South Constituency II.
The resolution was subsequently adopted through a unanimous voice vote, presided over by the Speaker.
In his remarks, Guwor said Oborevwori had done excellently through transformational leadership and strategic financial management and thanked him on behalf of the Assembly for the commendable work being done for the development of the state.
There was a mild drama at the entrace gate to the Assembly complex, as some journalists were locked out by security agents, ostensibly for lateness to the event, despite an official invitation by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon,
The journalists from leading national and regional media outlets, were denied entry despite presenting valid identification, as a Police officer, who said he was in charge at the main gate, told the journalists they would not be allowed in without offering a clear explanation, insisting: “The order came from above. If you like, call anybody, nobody will answer you.”
Ironically, while the reporters were denied access, select individuals not affiliated with the Press and a handful of female journalists attached to Government House, were allowed entry, raising questions of bias and selective transparency.
Efforts to reach Ahon CPS to the Speaker for clarification were unsuccessful, as they were unreachable at the time.
This blatant exclusion of the press has sparked outrage among journalists and advocates for press freedom, who view it as a troubling attempt to suppress independent reporting and limit public access to state proceedings.
