By Monday Uwagwu
Since his inauguration on May 29, 2023, the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approached governance with a steadfast commitment to his MORE agenda, delivering on promises to an understandably expectant populace.
Now, 19 months into his first term, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has demonstrated remarkable capacity in meeting public expectations. His achievements across various sectors are evident and impressive.
Like an adept marksman with a full hunting bag, Oborevwori’s accomplishments weigh heavily in his favour. The evidence of his success is visible across numerous sectors, reinforcing his dedication to the state’s growth and progress.
In pursuit of enduring peace, a prerequisite for sustainable governance, Governor Oborevwori’s administration, shortly after assuming office, inaugurated the State Advisory and Peace-Building Council.
This distinguished council, comprising respected elders from diverse communities of Delta State, has played very critical role in identifying and addressing potential threats to peace and security.
Their proactive efforts have created the conducive atmosphere necessary for development and public service delivery. The Office of the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution has also been at play in the peace building efforts of the state government, which has also been very supportive of the security agencies by the steady supply of critical inputs, including patrol vehicles and other operational equipment and kits.
By the last count, the government had delivered over 60 brand new patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state in an effort to strengthen their daily operational capacity.
It has also ensured that the state’ security outfit, Operation Delta Sweep, remains well oiled to ensure the effective exercise of its mandate.
The Oborevwori’s administration has demonstrated a commendable commitment to public service by maintaining and supporting the state’s workforce.
Upon assumption of office, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori chose to sustain the existing workforce through prompt payment of salaries and other emoluments for both active and retired officers.
Notably, well ahead of its peers, the administration paid N10,000 per person per month over a three- month period to its over 50,000 workforce. It also upheld the then minimum wage of N30,000 and went a step further by introducing and implementing a flexible new work schedule—an initiative that added significant value to the welfare of the workforce.
Under the schedule, non- critical staff members enjoy the luxury of two days off duty per week, without prejudice to their annual holidays. The new work schedule saved them the cost of transportation to work on the affected days, just as the payment of the palliative of N10,000 per month, aimed to insulate the personnel from undue exposure to the harsh effects of the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.
Besides, the administration equally provided brand new vehicles for Permanent Secretaries, the echelon of its Civil Service. It also committed a sum of over N5 billion to liquidate the arrears of the promotion benefits of affected public officers. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the first Governor to approve and implement the payment of the new minimum wage. As against the N70,000 threshold, the Governor approved the payment of N77,500 to civil servants.
Yet, that is not all. In a move that is as revolutionary in conception as it is in execution, the administration actively encouraged/ supported the local governments in the state through guarantee of a N40 billion facility to offset the huge arrears of retirement benefits owed local government pensioners, and approved the recruitment of more than 3,000 primary school teaching and non-teaching staff, aiming to strengthen and revitalize the sector.
The N40 billion facility has empowered local governments to fulfill their obligations to pensioners, effectively addressing one of the most challenging issues in public service in contemporary Nigeria.
With regard to the provision of road infrastructure, the administration split the Ministry of Works in two, Highways and Urban Roads; Rural and Riverine Roads, with both now handling over 513 inherited and new road projects, many of which have been completed. In all, the roads span over 1,500 kilometres, while the drainages cover more than 950 kilometres.
The administration has undertaken significant road infrastructure projects, including the Trans-Warri Road with its numerous culverts and bridges, the Ughelli-Asaba dual carriageway, and the stunning flyover bridges and road projects at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout, and Enerhen Junction.
Additionally, the ongoing Orere Bridge and numerous other projects are spread across the state’s three senatorial districts, reflecting a commitment to balanced development.
In the Education sector, the administration has established and operationalized a campus of the Southern Delta State University (formerly Delta State University of Science and Technology, DSUST), Ozoro, at Orerokpe, as well as introduced a College of Health Sciences at the institution’s main campus in Ozoro.
It has also maintained the operations of the state’s four public Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Colleges of Health Technology and Nursing. The administration also approved the recruitment of over 600 staff to strengthen the sector. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also approved implementation of salary review of 25 to 35 per cent for tertiary staff.
The government has equally ensured the smooth running of the more than 1,300 public primary and secondary schools in the state.
Besides, it has, in spite of the harsh economic realities, paid more than N1 billion to more than 60,000 deserving tertiary students of the state origin, by way of bursary, for two academic sessions.
The impact of the Oborevwori administration has equally been felt in the vital sector of agriculture, where it has actively supported crop and fish farmers across the state with inputs, including fertilizers, feeds, fingerlings, cash and technical extension services.
In recognition of the importance of the health sector, the administration has been highly proactive. It has upgraded facilities in several general hospitals, provided substantial funding to numerous Colleges of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Technology, and established a College of Health Technology at Ovrode, which is now operational. As part of its efforts to create conducive environment for Health workers, the state government is building more quarters for Doctors and Nurses.
With regard to empowerment, the Oborevwori government has enabled more than 250,000 persons with cash and other modes of aid, under the aegis of Delta CARES and other initiatives.
The administration has disbursed financial grants to 2,000 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, in the state to grow their businesses and cushion the effects of the inclement economic realities in the country through the state’s Job Creation Office.
In sports, the government has, by its proactive support of the Delta State Sports Commission, sustained the culture of excellence in competitive sports engagements at the national level by retaining the overall winners’ diadem at the National Youth Games, NYG, and the National Sports Festival (NSF). It has also sustained the Principals’ Cup and the Headmasters’ Cup football contests among secondary and primary schools in the state.
As part of his avowed determination to advance the independence of the judiciary, the Oborevwori administration has completed and inaugurated the State High Court Complex which consists of si floors, six court rooms, six conference halls, six witness waiting rooms, six holding cells, six secretarial offices, two general conference halls, a ceremonial hall, Multi-purpose Hall, lawyers’ lounge, judges’ lounge, VIP lounge and a library, among others.
The new High Court Complex also have internet access and other critical Information Technology (IT) facilities in the building to enhance e-filing of court processes and e-payments for services rendered by the High Court of Justice.
In addition, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori presented 20 brand new Toyota Prado Jeeps to Judges in the state and official vehicles to other Judicial officers for ease of movement. He is also building Judges quarters across the state to address accommodation problems.
In housing, the administration has commenced the building of 50 housing units made up of 30 three bedrooms and 20 two bedrooms in three different locations as a pilot scheme. Eight units of duplex is also being constructed to accommodate more Commissioners in the quarter.
As part of its efforts at diversifying the economy of the state, the administration has sealed a deal with UTM LNG for the harnessing of the huge reserves of natural gas in the state.
This deft move is expected to earn more income for the state, reduce the tempo of gas flaring in the state, help preserve the environment and equally encourage Deltans to embrace cleaner energy for domestic use.
It would take far more space than is available here to comprehensively outline the numerous development initiatives of the Oborevwori administration. However, it is worth noting that, based on the progress so far, the administration has kept alive the hope of Deltans for accelerated, cost-efficient development of the state.
This hope is set to evolve into even greater expectations in the coming year, as evidenced by the allocation of over N630 billion for capital projects in this year’s budget. Notably, each local government area has been allocated a mandatory N2 billion specifically for road development, in addition to the impressive N250 billion earmarked for road infrastructure across the state. What could be more reassuring than this?