By Divine Perezide

The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), the top media council representing Ijaw interest globally, has criticized recent claims by Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the Director General of Orientation and Communication in Delta State, regarding budget allocations for Ijaw riverine communities. Speaking on a Lagos-based radio program, Latimore had asserted that the state’s N979 billion 2025 budget includes major infrastructural projects for Ijaw communities and highlighted efforts by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to empower over 250,000 entrepreneurs through various programs.

Latimore stated that the approved budget featured “improved and renewed rural and riverine mega roads alongside other infrastructure projects aimed at boosting intra and inter-trade opportunities.”

However, the IPF, through a statement issued by its National President, Comrade Ozobo Austin, challenged the Delta government to substantiate these claims. The group accused the administration of neglecting the oil-rich Ijaw riverine areas and described the government’s approach as deceitful and based on propaganda. According to Austin, a responsible administration would prioritize the welfare of its citizens rather than making empty promises.

“The government operates on lies and propaganda,” the statement read. “A responsible leadership would feel the pains of its people rather than worsen their plight with non-existent, ‘audio’ projects.”

The IPF particularly pointed to the long-delayed Ayakoromo Bridge project as an example of such empty promises. The group argued that the bridge has been consistently featured in budgetary allocations without any significant progress.

During the same radio program, Latimore had also noted that the state government had empowered over 250,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through the Delta-CARES initiative under the Ministry of Women Affairs and the State Bureau for Wealth and Job Creation. However, the IPF dismissed these claims as fraudulent, insisting that no Ijaw communities or media enterprises were aware of any such opportunities.

The statement continued, “We challenge the Director General to publish the specific projects allocated to Ijaw communities, along with the names and locations of businesses or individuals who benefited from these empowerment programs.”

The IPF further accused Latimore of engaging in political propaganda to bolster the image of the administration at the expense of genuine development in Ijaw communities.

“We won’t tolerate such media charades anymore,” the group emphasized. “These so-called projects are nothing more than beautifully crafted stories by media strategists like Dr. Fred Latimore, who are skilled in propaganda but fail to deliver tangible results for Ijaw development.”

The statement also expressed disappointment over the lack of meaningful progress in Ijaw areas during previous administrations led by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

The IPF concluded by urging Governor Oborevwori to provide a detailed breakdown of projects earmarked for Ijaw communities in the 2025 budget. “We want the government to publish a comprehensive list of projects allocated to Delta Ijaw communities, along with the corresponding funds set aside for each. Additionally, we demand transparency regarding the Ayakoromo Bridge project and the names of Ijaw beneficiaries of the D-CARES program,” the statement added.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to holding the state government accountable to ensure equitable development across all communities, particularly the marginalized Ijaw riverine areas.