* Says nothing to show in the Riverine Areas
* Call for supplementary budget provisions for capital projects in Riverine Areas

By Luck Ebide

The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads and Public Information), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has affirmed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is focused on delivering developmental projects across the state rather than engaging in political battles. Aniagwu made this assertion during a press briefing held in Asaba, emphasizing that the governor would continue to address critics through tangible project deliveries ahead of the 2027 election.

Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, and the Executive Assistant on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, Aniagwu stated that Governor Oborevwori remains committed to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He dismissed rumors suggesting the governor might defect from the party. “We have seen a whole lot of publications in different places, including those that are insinuating that he is leaving the PDP. Oborevwori is a very proud member of the People’s Democratic Party. Today, Oborevwori is a clear leader amongst leaders of the party in Nigeria, and he is not in any way hungry to abandon the People’s Democratic Party,” Aniagwu stressed.

The commissioner outlined several projects initiated and completed by the governor, noting that Oborevwori has continued with projects inherited from the previous administration while initiating new ones. He listed ongoing road projects such as the Okpanam-Ibusa bypass, the Beneku Bridge, and various sections of the Asaba-Ughelli dual carriageway. He also highlighted the completion of the six-story High Court Complex in Asaba.

Regarding new projects, Aniagwu pointed to significant developments in Warri and Effurun, where road expansions and three flyover bridges are being constructed by Julius Berger. He added that numerous roads across Delta North, South, and Central senatorial districts have been completed or are underway, including internal roads in Sapele and Okpe, and the dualization of Ezesi Road in Orerokpe.

“His business, at the moment, is governance, and he is not going to lose sight of it,” Aniagwu said, emphasizing that the governor is committed to delivering the dividends of democracy to all Deltans. “Because of side talks and because he believes that this is not the time to begin to play politics, what he is doing at the moment is to ensure that he keeps faith with all Deltans,” he said.

Aniagwu further highlighted achievements in the education and health sectors, noting the establishment of a campus of Southern Delta State University at Orerokpe and the introduction of a College of Health Sciences at the Ozoro campus. He also cited upgrades to general hospitals and over 150 primary healthcare centers, as well as the establishment of a College of Health Technology in Ovrode.

On housing, Aniagwu said the government has begun constructing 50 housing units as a pilot scheme across Ozoro, Kwale, and Owa-Oyibu, and is building additional duplexes to accommodate commissioners in government quarters.

Speaking on the state’s economic diversification efforts, Aniagwu noted that the administration has partnered with UTM LNG to harness the state’s vast natural gas reserves. He added that over N200 billion has been paid to reduce the state’s debt, while contractors have been mobilized with new jobs and outstanding job certificates paid promptly.

Meanwhile, reactions from the Riverine Ijaw communities indicate dissatisfaction with the governor’s performance in their area. Prince Dr. Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie, a former State House Assembly contender and prominent advocate for good governance, called on Governor Oborevwori to allocate a supplementary budget of at least N300 billion for critical projects to open up the Riverine Ijaw area. These projects include the Ayakoromor Bridge, the Odimodi-Ogulagha Road, the Torugbene-Ojobo Road, the Ayakoromor-Burutu Road and more, in the 2025 fiscal year.

Bibaikefie reminded the government of the Riverine Ijaws’ consistent loyalty to the PDP during the 2023 elections and beyond, noting that they played a significant role in preventing the APC from winning in Delta State. “There’s no issue with investing colossal amounts in capital projects within the areas of the state that have consistently voted against the PDP, but there’s something fundamentally wrong for the state government to consistently abandon the areas that have remained faithful in voting for the PDP in Delta State,” he said.

He argued that the Riverine Ijaws deserve equitable treatment, given their contributions to the state’s finances through oil resources. “More than that, no state should be this cruel to a people whose landed oil resources play a critical role in the state finances, from 13% derivation to the excess crude account funds accruals, thereby keeping Delta State as the highest FAC allocation earner for almost a decade,” he said.

“Assuming that we don’t produce anything or give any votes, it doesn’t still eliminate the fact that we are part of this state and should be treated equitably,” Bibaikefie added.

He called on critical stakeholders in the party and State to persuade governor Oborevwori before it is too late, adding that nobody can tell who which governor will suffer the Age-long abandonment of the Ijaw Riverine Areas. “A Stitch in time saves nine” he concluded.