TWO YEARS ON

Delta State is making steady progress in governance and infrastructure development, reckons CHINEDU CHIZEA

In the last two years, oil-rich Delta State has experienced remarkable transformation, expanded infrastructure, deepened rural engagement, and improved governance under the watch of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. In an era defined by economic uncertainty and political challenges, the Oborevwori administration has steadily delivered on its promise of “MORE Agenda”—Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.

Taking over the reins of power in May 2023, Oborevwori, a grassroots politician and seasoned lawmaker, inherited a legacy of infrastructural momentum from his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. But rather than merely continue from where the past government stopped, he recalibrated governance in Delta, bringing in a new wave of pragmatic engagement focused on unity, peacebuilding, inclusivity, and economic revival.

Perhaps the most defining trait of Governor Oborevwori’s leadership so far is his deliberate commitment to peace and inclusion, especially in the oil-producing riverine communities of Delta State. This approach has not only ensured sustained oil production, making Delta Nigeria’s top oil-producing state, but has also dramatically reduced incidents of pipeline vandalism, youth restiveness, and insecurity.

Speaking recently on national television, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, noted that the state’s investment in the development of historically neglected creek communities like Ogulagha, Burutu, Gbaramatu, and Odimodi has directly contributed to peace in the Niger Delta.

“You can’t talk about national revenue without peace in oil-producing communities,” Aniagwu said. “We took development to the creeks, to the homes of the people, where oil is extracted, not just along pipelines—and that’s why we’re seeing results today.”

Governor Oborevwori has continued this legacy with the ongoing construction of the Ogulaha–Okonti–Odimodi Road, as well as the 47km Ohoror–Bomadi Road, critical lifelines for remote communities once cut off from mainstream development.

One of the pillars of Oborevwori’s governance has been massive infrastructural investment in both urban centers and hard-to-reach rural areas. From Warri to Burutu, Asaba to Bomadi, the transformation is both visible and impactful.

The much-celebrated Ayakoromo Bridge, long stalled under previous administrations, is now under full-scale construction. Urban transportation corridors in Effurun, Enerhen, and PTI Junction have received major facelift projects including three new bridges and expanded roadways to decongest traffic and boost commerce in Delta Central and South Senatorial Districts.

Despite claims from critics that the bridges are within short range, Mr. Aniagwu swiftly refuted these as misinformation, clarifying that each bridge spans significant distances and serves a broader transport strategy.

“There is logic behind every kilometer being built. These are not cosmetic projects—they are economic enablers,” Aniagwu emphasized.

In the state capital Asaba, Governor Oborevwori has completed and commissioned multiple internal roads, upgraded drainage systems, and initiated beautification projects to enhance the city’s appeal as both a tourism and business hub.

Central to the MORE Agenda is the empowerment of Delta’s young population. The administration has expanded job creation initiatives, vocational training programs, and microcredit schemes. Over 5,000 youths have been trained and supported with starter packs under the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP).

A newly launched Delta State Job Creation Bureau now tracks employment metrics and ensures that government-supported youth initiatives are sustainable and performance-driven. Additionally, Oborevwori has opened up opportunities in ICT, creative industries, and renewable energy through partnerships with private investors and international development agencies.

The Oborevwori administration recognizes that education and health are the backbone of human capital development. In the last two years, over 230 classroom blocks have been rehabilitated or newly built, and more than 4,000 teachers trained in digital and inclusive education models.

The state’s higher institutions—including Delta State University (DELSU), Delta Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku, and the newly upgraded University of Science and Technology, Ozoro—have witnessed infrastructure upgrades, increased funding, and curriculum expansion.

In healthcare, the state has invested in new primary health centres, refurbished general hospitals, and launched maternal and child health programs in rural LGAs. The Delta State Contributory Health Commission (DSCHC) has increased health insurance enrollment for informal sector workers, civil servants, and the vulnerable population, achieving some of the highest enrollment figures in Southern Nigeria.

One of the lesser-known achievements of Governor Oborevwori’s administration is his push for transparency and debt reduction. Contrary to claims that Delta owes over N400 billion, the government has clarified that it has not borrowed a single kobo since taking office. Rather, it has repaid over N280 billion in debts and contractual obligations inherited from previous administrations—many tied to the controversial bridging finance loans.

“Our governor is fiscally prudent. He’s not borrowing for the sake of politics. Every naira spent is linked to tangible results,” said Aniagwu.

The state has also improved its internal revenue mechanisms through digital tax systems and efficient property data collection, reducing leakages and corruption at the local government level.

Two years into his tenure, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has shown that governance can be inclusive, humble, pragmatic, and deeply impactful. With a vision rooted in the realities of the ordinary Deltan and a commitment to build on existing strengths while correcting past mistakes, his administration is setting a new standard for public service in Delta State.

As he begins the second half of his term, expectations are high, but so too is the momentum. From creek to city, bridge to borehole, school to surgery room, the MORE Agenda is no longer a campaign promise; it is a living, breathing reality transforming lives across Delta State.

If sustained, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s legacy may not just be in the roads he built, but in the trust he earned and the unity he inspired in a complex, diverse, and ambitious state.

  Chizea writes from Asaba, Delta State capital