Delta State All Progressives Congres *There’s nothing on ground to celebrate
*Says presence of Julius Berger can’t be an achievement for Gov. Oborevwori_
By Fejiro Oghojafor
The All Progressives Congress, APC, party in Delta State has charged Deltans to sit back and assess the performances of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the exiting year and match it with the humongous revenue inflow into the State in the past one and half year.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Asaba the State capital, recently, the State Publicity Secretary of APC, Valentine Onojeghuo Esq. noted that it is only when the revenue that accrued to the state in the past one and half year is equated to the performance of the governor that the recent call by the Commissioner of Information for Deltans to expect more, could make any reasonable sense.
It would be recalled that the Delta State Commissioner for Information Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza in a recent statement credited to him, urged Deltans to expect more projects from the Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, as 2025 rolls in.
However, in a sharp reaction to the Commissioner’s statement, the Delta State APC cautioned Deltans not to be carried away with the construction of two flyovers in Warri/Effurun and a few access roads in some parts of the State, adding that what has accrued to the State in the past one and half years in terms of revenue has been estimated to have almost doubled what the five states in the South East got in the same period.
The party cautioned that rather than engaging in a euphoric expectation of more projects in 2025, Deltans should take stock of Gov. Oborevwori’s achievement if it matches the humongous revenue the state received in the past eighteen months, adding that the presence of Julius Berger company in Warri and Effurun cannot be said to be an achievement of Gov. Oborevwori per se.
“It is quite laughable for the Commissioner of Information to cajole Deltans to expect more from Gov. Oborevwori in the year 2025 when in fact there is absolutely nothing on ground to account for the over 2.4 trillion naira which accrued to the state in the past eighteen months.
“When has the presence of a construction company in a State become a yardstick for the evaluation of the performance of a state government? Our problem as Deltans has been our inability to travel out of the State to other states. When states like Ebonyi, Bornu, Kebbi, Enugu and others whose monthly allocations are not up to the 13% Derivation funds coming to Delta State can celebrate several kilometers of flyovers, housing projects, integrated water projects and constant power supply from state-owned IPP, Deltans are clapping for Gov. Sheriff for the presence of Julius Berger.
“It is the right of Deltans to ask the Gov. Oborevwori-led administration to give account of the over 2.4 trillion naira so far received in the past eighteen months by publishing an independent audited balance sheet of the State. Neither the governor nor the Commissioner of Information can blindfold Deltans with the deceitful cajole to expect more in 2025 when in fact there is nothing on ground as a basis to expect more”, the party advised.
The Party expresses concern that the Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s government may not deliver the meaningful progress and improvements that citizens hope for given its woeful performance in 2024.
The APC further highlighted series of other perceived shortcomings and unfulfilled promises from the Oborevwori administration, arguing
The party argued that the government’s track record has not shown enough commitment in addressing the pressing needs of the people, such as infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and job creation.
Whilst urging Deltans to remain vigilant and realistic about their expectations, the party emphasized the importance of holding the government accountable for its actions and decisions.
“Despite receiving federal allocation monthly in excess of 200 billion, the only project that the Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration can point to in the entire Delta State, is the Effurun flyover construction”.
The APC furthermore criticized the State government decision of allocating the sum of one billion naira for road construction in each local government in government, describing the initiative as a little drop of water in an ocean as the amount is insufficient to significantly address the emergency state of roads in each local government, particularly in the light of rising costs of construction materials in the country,
“Delta State has some of the worst roads in this country, especially in the Niger Delta area and the allocation of one billion to tackle the deplorable conditions of roads in our local government areas is infinitesimally insignificant to have any meaningful impact on addressing horrible situations of our roads. We all can vividly remember the ‘Okowa swimming pool’ road in Sapele Local Government Area, the truth of the matter is that, it is not just Sapele only, but in all the local government areas in the State and fixing these roads requires more than one billion naira to put them in motorable condition”.
“It is irresponsible and reprehensible for the State Commissioner of Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza to continue playing to the gallery by telling the people of Delta State to expect more from the Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration by listing imaginary projects that will not see the light of the day in a desperate bid to hoodwinked Deltans and deflect the public attention from the numerous shortcomings of the present State government”, the party noted.
Onojeghuo recalled that the previous administration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa engaged in a similar fashion that left the State in huge debt with nothing to show for it.
“The administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa told Deltans that he spent billions constructing roads and was called the ‘road master but today there are no roads in the State. Billions were spent on storm drains, but anytime it rains, Asaba and Warri will be flooded. At the end of his prosperity for all deception, the State was left prosperously indebted to the tune of over 500 billion with 1.3 trillion not accounted for”, the party said.
The APC also identified other key areas where the Oborevwori administration has fallen short, including infrastructure development, healthcare services, and job creation, stating that despite the significant resources allocated to the state, the State government’s inaction has left many vital projects unexecuted and citizens frustrated as the Party claimed that the State governor Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is only interested in servicing the huge debts accumulated by his predecessor.
“The people of Delta State deserve an administration that prioritizes their welfare and development above political loyalty and survival. Unfortunately, the current government has demonstrated a lack of urgency and commitment to improving the lives of citizens. Road networks remain in disrepair, schools lack basic amenities, and healthcare facilities are underfunded and overburdened as the governor is only interested in paying the debts accumulated by his political benefactor.”
Onojeghuo accused the administration of Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for its inability to connect with the aspirations of the State for tangible developments, which has resulted in a disconnect between the government and the people it serves. The Party called for transparency and accountability in governance, urging the state government to prioritize the needs of its citizens.
“As we approach the new year, we urge the people of Delta State to critically assess the performance of this administration. We believe that a change in leadership is essential for the progress and prosperity of our beloved state.The Delta APC remains committed to advocating for policies that foster development, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for all residents of Delta State. The party is calling on the government to take immediate action to address these issues and fulfill its obligations to the people, not cheap propaganda”.
COMMENTS