The media has been urged to be patient with the administration of the Right Honourable Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State as it is still putting things in place to enable it to fully take off.
“I still plead with you to be patient with us as an administration. You know there are lots of things that we are trying to put together to fully take off,” Oborevwori stated.
“Oborevwori does not want a situation where he goes ahead to push money out there and it falls on infertile ground,” the State Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine), Mr Charles Aniagwu, has said.
The Commissioner made these remarks while speaking to executives and members of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) during their visit to him on Wednesday in Asaba.
Describing Governor Oborevwori as a prudent manager of state resources, Aniagwu emphasized that given the inflationary rate in the country, the governor was cautious with spending state funds to ensure that both contractors and the people fully benefit from the available resources accruing to the state.
He further noted, “Even yesterday, some appointments were being announced, which means this government is still being formed. There are numerous projects that we are handling, and policies that are being developed.”
“The governor is also being cautious because there have been significant changes in our national economy since he took office,” Aniagwu added.
“So, he is being careful in terms of resource allocation. Some who do not understand may think that we are moving slowly, but those of us who are integral to the administration understand that we need to be careful so that any funds we spend will give Deltans value for their money,” Aniagwu explained.
The commissioner highlighted the importance for Oborevwori to understand what he inherited and the impact of the current fluctuations in currency on ongoing and proposed projects.
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“This is because without a clear understanding, there is a tendency for some individuals, be they businessmen or opportunists, to take advantage of the situation. The governor, valuing accountability, does not want to fall into such traps,” he stated.
Aniagwu assured that despite the challenges, there were numerous activities ongoing throughout the state. He added that preparations for activities to mark Oborevwori’s one year in office were in progress, under his supervision as Commissioner for Works.
“Subject to His Excellency’s approval, we will begin inaugurating some projects across the 25 local government areas next week. Some projects are near completion, some have been completed, while others are in the initiation phase. Overall, every local government in Delta will have a fair share of this administration,” he affirmed.
“I can confidently say that Oborevwori is determined to make a significant difference across the length and breadth of the state,” Aniagwu concluded.
He urged journalists in the state to effectively support the Oborevwori administration with the same vigor and commitment they demonstrated towards the immediate past government of Governor Okowa. He also encouraged them to extend the same support to the current Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Asaba Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Ifeanyi Olannye, stated that the visit was to congratulate the commissioner on his appointment as Commissioner for Works: Rural and Riverine Roads. He also urged the commissioner to maintain the cordial relationship with journalists and requested continued government partnership to deepen development in the state in line with the MORE Agenda of the Oborevwori-led administration.
“As a former Chief Press Secretary and Commissioner for Information under Governor Okowa, you related well with journalists and performed creditably. We are confident that as Commissioner for Works: Rural and Riverine Roads in this administration, you will also deliver creditably,” Olannye affirmed.
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