Delta State Government has said that no state government in the country had approved projects worth N275 billion and mobilised contractors to the tune of 40 percent for such projects at a single EXCO meeting.
The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, who disclosed this at a news conference in Asaba, said Governor Oborevwori’s governance philosophy of quality, efficiency and effectiveness was responsible for the history making decisions at EXCO session of last week Thursday.
Aniagwu, who was in company of 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, maintained that the state’s finances remained in a solid shape, adding that all the development steps taken were without recourse to borrowing.
He said: “You recall when I had the privilege, alongside my colleague in the Ministry of Finance, Fidelis Tilije, to brief you on the state of our finances, we were very, very clear on the fact that we are very, very solid and solvent.
“I also want to remind you when I said, in one of our interactions in the past, that Oborevwori will continue to respond to critics with projects.
“In that last EXCO, Oborevwori’s response was not only clear, but was also resounding, even as it was deafening. We took that decision because we believe that we have the mandate of our people to deliver in line with the MORE Agenda of the administration.
“The governor was very clear on the need for us to take those steps, to ensure that the three Senatorial Districts are covered, and to ensure that the number of sectors are also covered.
“For the first time in the history of any state government in the entire federation, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, made it possible for us to have 40 percent advance payment for all projects that were awarded at that EXCO meeting.
“You can fact-check me because it has never happened in any government in this country and for a State Government to have projects in excess of N275 billion and have them mobilised is ingenious of the Oborevwori administration.
“We are ready, by the time the contractors proceed and mobilize to site, that any certificate that is triggered on account of milestones, that our administration is still very solid enough to defray whatever that may have come up on account of jobs done in the course of these contracts that we are talking about.
“What that tells you is that we are not only solid, but we are doing very well, thanks to the prudent and transparent policies of our governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
“All these things are happening without us approaching anybody or financial institution in the form of borrowing, even as we have been very busy trying to also defray existing liabilities.”
Aniagwu said people who underrated the Governor prior to the 2023 governorship election had been taught a lesson with the quality governance of the Oborevwori administration.
“So, for those who may have underrated Oborevwori prior to 2023, these actions have become very loud to let such persons know that this kind of book must be properly examined, before you judge the book otherwise you’ll be looking at the wrong cover and I believe many people looked at the wrong cover prior to that election.
“Oborevwori is doing this and at the same time saving funds for the state. Prior to that EXCO meeting over N4.5 billion was saved from different contracts because we looked at the profit margin and the amount that such contracts will get to.
“And re-examining the profit margin and ancillary parameters in those projections, the governor was able to lead us to save as much as over N4.5 billion for the state and that has become one of the hallmarks of the Oborevwori administration.”
The Commissioner said Governor Oborevwori had directed proper supervision of projects across Ministries Departments and Agencies, adding that he would lead the team from next week.
“Now another phase that we are entering starting from next week. The Governor has directed that I should on regular basis proceed with those of you who are partners here to inspect and take status reports on all projects irrespective of where it is.
“Whether it’s the Ministry of Works, whether it’s the Health, whether it’s the Education, whether it’s Housing, whether it’s the Agriculture, we will proceed with you.
“Not only because we want to show to the world but because we want to work with the supervising ministries, emphasize the need yet again of value for money that we are spending on these projects.
“You already know that the governor himself is leading the high-powered committee that is inspecting projects across the states.
“That committee is still a standing committee. Whenever the governor is not chanced, the Deputy Governor leads that committee.
“So that anybody, including those of us who are his lieutenants, who fails to turn up and do the right thing, the action of that committee will reveal whether indeed you are worthy of remaining in this EXCO where the governor is emphasizing quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.”i
