By James Ovuorie
Fresh from his pivotal visit to China, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is not pausing for applause. Instead, he seems to be in a hurry to channel the global partnership into Delta State’s next growth phase and the second half of his four year term.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who joined Oborevwori in China, captured the essence.
“We were invited on account of two major policies of the Oborevwori administration,” Aniagwu said during a recent press briefing in state capital, Asaba..
“One is his knack for excellence in terms of the job that is being executed. Two is the very, very unprecedented approach to both project mobilization and the prompt payment of certificates that are raised genuinely. These are contractors across the globe who also do jobs or carry out jobs or construction work in different parts of the globe. They have seen that the Oborevwori model is good for development.”
According to Aniagwu, who was with the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon and the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, the state was invited to attend the 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) and Exhibition in Macau based on its track record of delivering quality infrastructure and prompt payment of contracts. On the China trip, the commissioner said they sought investment opportunities and forged partnerships with firms involved in modern waste management systems and rural infrastructure development.
“We saw a company that is into transforming waste materials that you could gather from dumps, which of course is available everywhere, and has become a challenge for us across the length and breadth of this country, but that you can convert it and use it to generate energy and power your homes,” said Aniagwu.
“That is something of interest, and we are quite convinced in the thinking of the governor that we will advance that discussion so that we will see how possibly we can attract that kind of investment. We are proud to have been invited to a top-tier construction forum in Macau, China, an honor linked to Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to excellence and prompt contractor payments. These policies have gained international recognition, positioning Delta State as a model for quality infrastructure.”
It must be noted that since two years he has assumed the position of governor, all the senatorial zones in Delta State have benefitted from infrastructures. Aniagwu commented that other global players have been watching the state’s progress. Expectedly, in maintaining the tempo, Oborevwori’s trip to the factory of the world is set to birth more infrastructures.
“Recognition from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a global infrastructure giant, validates our administration’s credibility,” Aniagwu said.
“With their vast global portfolio, CCECC’s commendation confirms that Delta meets top engineering standards. The forum also opened doors for partnerships, especially in waste-to-energy. These engagements aim to elevate Delta from a local player to a respected global stakeholder in sustainable development.”
The commissioner also reiterated the state government’s commitment to honouring contractual agreements, while urging contractors to do the same.
“A government focused on delivering timely infrastructure must act when projects fall behind schedule or violate terms, especially when public funds are involved,” Aniagwu said.
Several underperforming contracts have already been revoked and re-awarded, with new contractors now delivering at the expected pace. This approach ensures that Deltans receive value for money and that critical projects are not unnecessarily delayed due to inefficiency or lack of commitment from contractors.”
With Oborevwori’s MORE (Meaningful Development, Opportunity for All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security) agenda, Delta’s infrastructure drive has been unprecedented. Within two years, many road projects across the state have been completed. In partnership with national road agencies, his administration has tackled major expressways such as the Warri–Sapele–Benin and Benin–Asaba–Onitsha corridors. Also being touched are the dual carriageway construction on the Ughelli–Asaba Road, the ongoing flyovers at PTI Junction, DSC Roundabout, and Enerhen Junction by Julius Berger at a hefty investment of N78 billion. Other rural and urban road initiatives include Otolokpo–UteOkpu Road, Ibusa–Achala Phase 1, OviriOlomu/Egodor Road, Ohoror-Bomadi Road, Ayakoromo Bridge, numerous roads in Warri and Sapele, and floodcontrol plus drainage systems in Effurun/Warri. Also penned down for works are the 18.6km Bomadi-Gbaregolor Road and the 12.5km Okontu-Ogulaha Road in Burutu among others.
These projects are not mere asphalt; they represent lifelines for communities like Burutu and Gbaramatu, where isolation once fueled unrest. Now, these efforts are easing daily mobility, stimulating commerce, reducing urban flooding, and elevating the quality of life for Deltans.
In the area of empowerment, the administration’s Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) have trained over 5,000 youths with starter packs and mentorship. The state disbursed grants totalling N500 million to 5,000 traders/artisans and expanded the DCARES stimulus scheme from about 36,000 to over 110,000 beneficiaries. As it stands, beneficiaries of the state’s social intervention schemes exceed 250,000 people. Additionally, over 200,000 youths, women, and artisans have been trained or provided with microcredit. Also, the Oborevwori-administration launched the Delta State Job Creation Bureau to track employment metrics and partnered with firms in ICT and renewable energy to diversify opportunities beyond oil. This focus on human capital signals a shift from handout dependency to skill-based self-reliance .
In health, Oborevwori launched a College of Health Technology in Ovrode and purchased equipment supplies worth N3 billion for general hospitals in the state. He also expanded free maternal and child healthcare, funded 150 primary health centers, and secured a $400,000 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant for primary healthcare.
Regarding education, the Delta State government paid bursaries to over 30, 000 tertiary students while introducing acceptancefee waivers and scholarships. These moves have encouraged tertiary education.
While some challenges remain, the government is focused on addressing them. In April this year, Oborevwori signed seven bills aimed at structural reforms. They are the Delta State Electricity Power Sector Bill, Child Rights amendments, physical and regional planning statutes, a film censors board, pet care regulations, veterinary practice oversight, and the legal framework for the College of Health Technology. These reforms, particularly the electricity bill is a testament of the administration’s race to create an environment conducive to growth, regulation, and investor engagement.
In all these, it is impressive to note that Delta has not engaged in any external borrowing to execute all it has done. In fact, from inheriting a debt of N465 billion, the government has repaid over N200 billion and pledged to liquidate the balance before 2027. Kudos to this Sheriff-led administration for installing investor confidence in the state.
Reflecting on two years of Oborevwori’s administration, one can understand why he earned ‘Governor of the Year 2024’ award from the Vanguard newspaper and ThisDay/Arise with both praising his infrastructural work and debtfree approach.
He has not merely talked about progress; he has delivered and he does not seem to want to stop delivering any time soon. It definitely justifies the confidence of Deltans and national observers alike in his leadership – a leadership worthy of emulation.