- State Liquidates Over N200bn Debt Stock
- BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
DELTA State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, at the moment is focusing on executing more development project and would continue to reply critics with massive projects delivery ahead of 2027 and not interested in fighting any political battles.
Speaking at at press conference in Asaba, on Monday, January 13, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, flanked by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, said: “We have seen a whole lot of publications in different places, including those that are insinuating that he is leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Oborevwori is a very proud member of the PDP. Today, Oborevwori is a clear leader amongst leaders of the party in Nigeria and he is not in any way hungry to abandon the party.”
He stated that the governor was continuing and completing projects he inherited from previous administrations, including the Okpanam-Ibusa Bypass; Beneku Bridge; Asaba-Ughelli Dual Carriageway, particularly Sectors C1 and C2, Sector A, with repairs in Sector B, as well as the six-storey High Court Complex in Asaba.
Aniagwu, who was recently directed to oversee the Ministry of Information, listed projects initiated by the governor to include the three flyover bridges and road expansion works currently ongoing in the Warri/Effurun corridor being handled by Julius Berger Plc; as well as other completed roads within Asaba and the capital territory, Warri, Isoko North and Isoko South areas.
“In Sapele and Okpe, a lot of road projects are ongoing, while some have been completed like the Ohorhor-Adagbrasa-Ugolo-Okuodiete road, Ezesi Road dualisation in Orerokpe and other internal roads in Sapele.
“In Delta North, Eweshi-Utagba-Uno and Ndemili-Utagba-Uno road in Ndokwa West; Akumazi-Umuocha and Owere-Olubor roads have been completed, while the Issele-Azagba-Otulu road is currently ongoing,” he stated.
“Over N200billion has been paid to liquidate the state’s debt stock, while contractors are being mobilised with new jobs, with outstanding job certificates paid as they fall due.
“Just yesterday, the governor drove round the Asaba to identify many projects that require attention.”
Aniagwu said: “His business at the moment is governance and he is not going to lose sight of it. Because of side talks and because he believes that this is not the time to begin to play politics, he is keeping faith with all Deltans. He believes that every Deltan deserves the dividends of democracy, and that is what he has concerned himself all about.
“I also recall that in one of our outings at the Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU) celebration at Uvwiamuge-Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, the governor asked his kinsmen and Deltans to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“He was very clear when he noted that the support for Tinubu also is equal to support for him. That is not politicking; that is governance, because the times we are in now is not for politics, but governance.”
On education sector, Aniagwu said the administration had established and operationalised a campus of the Southern Delta State University at Orerokpe, introduced a College of Health Sciences at the institution’s main campus in Ozoro and upgraded facilities in several general hospitals and over 150 primary healthcare centres and provided substantial funding to numerous Colleges of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Technology, even as it established a College of Health Technology at Ovrode, which is now operational.
On housing, Aniagwu disclosed that the administration has commenced the building of 50 housing units, made up of 30 three bedrooms, and 20 two-bedroom units in Ozoro, Kwale and Owa-Oyibu as a pilot scheme, while eight units of duplex to accommodate more commissioners in the quarters.
As part of its efforts to diversify the state’s economy, he stated that the administration has sealed a deal with UTM LNG for the harnessing of the huge reserves of natural gas in the state.
“I can assure you that he is also ready to revamp the state’s broadcast outfits in Asaba and Warri.
“As part of breathing a new lease of life on the stations, the governor has directed that I submit a report on the stations within the three weeks.”
