Olorogun Barr. Fred Majemite
* Says Gov. Oborevwori executes projects in order of public priority
* Commends South South, South East for non-violent protest
*Not yet Uhuru for LGs on minimum wage he says
By Emomine John
Former Commissioner for Survey and Urban Planning and top chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olorogun Barr. Fred Majemite, has reiterated the much-hyped claims of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori as a prudent financial resource manager, stating that the governor is judiciously applying the revenue accruing to the state.
Majemite who fielded questions in an exclusive interview with newsmen in his Ughelli country home on Sunday August 11, 2024, also stated that Gov. Oborevwori’s choice of project to execute is guided by the greater need of the masses.
It would be recalled that the claim of prudent management of the finance of the state by Oborevwori has been in the front the burner in recent times. The Executive Assistant to the Governor, Mr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, in a public statement, has informed Deltans that over N40% of the state debt portfolio has been repaid in just one year and that it was due to the governor’s prudent management of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori.
However, reacting to the claims by the Governor’s aide, the State APC described it as a “pack of lies”, pointing out that the so-called debt was allegedly incurred by the governor and his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
But fielding questions from newsmen in Ughelli yesterday, Olorogun Barr. Majemite stated that as a stakeholder in the present government, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has so far exhibited high level prudence in the management of the state financial resources, adding that he has been very faithful in meeting financial obligations of contractors for infrastructural projects and recurrent expenditures in the State.
“I’m not the Commissioner for information in Delta State but as a stakeholder, I know that the funds to come to the state are not mismanaged at all. The only thing you can tell me is that he is a little bit too careful. Any person he gives contract to do in Delta State, he or she is certain that he will get paid.
“He is careful in selecting the type of jobs he embarks on especially in the aspect of cost and the need of the people. In the riverine area, he is careful of which project he is doing for the people of that area. I think he is doing his best.
“I know by now that he is already in the process of awarding the contracts for the rebuilding of Okuama community. And I know the funds for such contracts are in place.
“If you look at his antecedents in the House of Assembly, you could recall that he left over N500 million in the account of the House. So, that’s why I say he is very prudent. He does not spend money any how.
On the impact of the ten-day national ‘hunger’ protest that took place across the country recently, Majemite stated that it achieved its aim to a large extent, adding that the very moment Nigerians indicated interest to go on protest the government started reacting.
While commiserating with those who lost their lives and property in some states in the North, the PDP chieftain expressed happiness that the protest was largely non-violent in the South East and South South regions of the country.
“The protest, to a very large extent, achieved its purpose because the moment they indicated their interest that there is going to be a protest, the started reacting. And my happiness is that there was no much violence in this part of the country. I however commiserate with those who lost their lives in some part of the northern region and of course, those whose property were destroyed.
“There is hunger in the land, people cannot feed themselves but it does not make sense destroying the property of individuals who are also hungry. At this moment, the rich also cry. The country is in a precipice. At the moment , Nigerians are going through hell. All hands have to be in deck to ensure that the situation does not degenerate further”, he said.
Majemite also stated that although Nigerians welcome the recent judgment of the Supreme Court which granted financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Councils in the country, it is not yet Uhuru for the third tier of government because, not all of them can afford the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage bill already signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, Delta State government has over the years been augmenting the allocations of most Local Government Councils in the State to enable them meet up with their staff salaries obligations, adding that with the recent autonomy law, the Council chairman had to manage whatever they received as allocations.
“There are some Local Government Councils in the country which cannot function apart from the monthly allocations. Their IGR is near zero. How would they pay their staffers then? For me, the minimum wage is the wage which each government can afford, not necessarily the one which the government has mentioned.
“Yes, the federal government has said they can pay the N70,000 minimum wage but the federal government cannot force it down the throat of the state governors or even the Local Government Councils chairmen. Let them look at their books and see what they can pay”, he stated.
On the increasing spate of insecurity in the State, Majemite suggested that the government cannot handle it alone.
“Like I said government alone cannot handle the issue of insecurity. So, every community, every kingdom should liaise with their traditional rules a d the vigilantes in their areas”, he said.
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