Scorecard: Oborevwori empowered, supported 250,000 entrepreneurs, MSMEs in 2024 – Oghenesivbe
…Says more capital projects, Youth empowerment in 2025
Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori is visibly and steadily fulfilling his 2023 electioneering campaigns promises in all sectors of the state economy, with focus on economic growth and infrastructural development.
The governor through D-CARES programme, Ministry of Women Affairs and State Bureau for Wealth and Job Creation had consciously and deliberately invested billions of Naira to support over 250,000 entrepreneurs who are operating Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, MSMEs, in the state, but were battling with harsh economic realities due to national economic reforms.
Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Director General, Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lagos, during a radio public affairs network program, saying that the governor’s intention saved thousands of small businesses from collapsing.
He posited that the governor also assisted security agencies in the area of logistics and other support, wherein he procured, equipped and distributed over 40 brand new Toyota Hilux operational vehicles to enhance “Response and Rescue” operations throughout the three senatorial districts, thereby upscaling effective policing and crime prevention.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Egbetokun commissioned the vehicles in Asaba, before delivery to all security agencies. He also presented a special Award to governor Oborevwori in recognition of his multifaceted assistance to the State Police Command, and other security agencies in the state.
The Bureau Chief assured that with the approved budget of N979billion for year 2025, the governor would expand the scope of mega infrastructure, youth and women empowerment, as well as ensure significant improvement in the funding of educational and sports infrastructure development, among others.
Dr Oghenesivbe further disclosed that improved Urban Renewal, Rural and Riverine mega roads and other infrastructure projects that would open up intra and inter-trade opportunities are contained in the 2025 budget, adding that the budgetary provisions also addressed the upscaling of sociocultural activities, showbusiness/entertainment and tourism potentials in various communities across the state.
The State Communications Bureau Director General, further stated that ongoing construction of three flyovers, pedestrian bridges at DSC roundabout, PTI junction, Enerhen junction up to Marine Gate, and the dualization of Ughelli-Asaba highway and several other ongoing projects across the state; are among some of the remarkable achievements of governor Sheriff Oborevwori since assumption of office in 2023.
Dr Oghenesivbe noted that in less than two years of Oborevwori administration, Delta State is fast becoming a mega state, investors first choice destination where citizens and residents, as well as visitors shall continue to enjoy good measure of returns on investments, peace, security and quality social services.
He said governor Oborevwori ensured that under the Realistic Reforms component in his MORE agenda, local and foreign investors enjoys good measure of tax rebate/holidays, ease of doing business without unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks, voluntary repatriation of profits on investments, so as to fast track economic growth, Direct Foreign Investment, FDI, while urging investors to take advantage of these attractive incentives.
Oghenesivbe revealed that the governor made special provision of over N2 billion for special projects in each of the 25 local government areas of the state, to fasttrack socioeconomic and infrastructural development in communities, towns and villages, adding that governor Oborevwori is the first governor to have made such budgetary provisions for local governments since the creation of the state.
“Our indefatigable governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori has performed creditably in less than two years in office. He’s going to do More, and remain focused to deliver quality dividends of democracy to our people in Delta State.
“His economic reforms are yeilding tremendous results. There are no bureaucratic bottlenecks for investors in Delta State. The ease of doing business is high and shall be sustained.
“The governor and his economic team introduced tax rebates and other attractive incentives to boost economic growth through Direct Foreign Investment, Public-Private Partnerships and other multifaceted strategies.
“There are mega projects ongoing in Delta State. Three flyovers and pedestrian bridges are being constructed. Construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is handling the projects. There are other projects that have been completed and commissioned by this administration, soanynod them, and counting.
“The dualization of Ughelli-Asaba highway and several other ongoing projects across the three senatorial districts are some of the legacies of Oborevwori administration, and we deeply appreciate the governor for driving uncommon economic growth, prosperity and infrastructural development in the state.
“With the approved N979 billion budget for year 2025, the governor is poised to sustain youth and women empowerment, upscale mega infrastructure and socioeconomic development, approve additional financial support to boost small scale businesses that yould drive economic growth and prosperity for our people.
“Delta has never had it this good in terms of prudent, transparent and meticulous management of state resources, wherein governor Oborevwori saved over 200billion in operating cost on projects. Contractors and suppliers are paid as at when due, more debt and peomototion arrears accommodation under this administration.
“Since he took over the mantle of leadership as governor of Delta State, over N160billion has been paid, out of the inherited state debt of over N400bilion. And in all of these, the governor did not borrow a penny from any bank or financial institution, home or abroad, and does not intend to do so in 2025.
“Permit me to say that Delta is blessed with a God-fearing, and a visionary governor, who is determined to prudently use the state resources to upscale development, create jobs and wealth for our people without mortgaging our collective future via debts and misappropriation of public funds.
“He’s the first governor since the creation of Delta State to allocate over N2 billion to each of the 25 local government areas, for infrastructure and socioeconomic development, as can be seen in the 2025 approved state budget.
“Governor Oborevwori is a pragmatic leader, and Manager of resources par excellence, and we give God all the Glory,” Oghenesivbe added.
