Why Delta ranks highest in oil production — Aniagwu

The Delta State Government has consistently taken strategic steps over the years to boost national revenue by ensuring peace and development in oil-producing communities across the state.

The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, made this statement during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday night.

Aniagwu, responding to comments made by an All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart in the state, Collins Eselemo, emphasized that Delta State could not have emerged as the country’s highest oil-producing state without investing in the peace and development of its oil-producing communities.

According to Aniagwu, “Governor Oborevwori has brought significant development to our state.”

“Former Governor Okowa did not commission the Ogulaha-Okonti-Odimodi Road, as claimed. However, Okowa did construct and inaugurate the 20.29km Obotobo I, Obotobo II, Sokebulou, and Yokiri roads in Ogulagha, Burutu Local Government Area.

“Eselemo fails to understand that people living in the creeks have homes there. They own vehicles and need accessible roads. One of the key reasons we have not experienced significant pipeline vandalism in Delta is because we extended development to the creeks, where most of the oil is extracted.

“Previously, people were told that development was only on paper, confined to pipeline areas. But instead of keeping development on paper, the Delta State Government—starting with the Okowa administration and now deepened by Governor Oborevwori—took development directly to the people.

“Eselemo questions the economic importance of developing the creeks, but that is precisely why Delta is a leading oil-producing state—because our brothers and sisters in the creeks have been empowered and included.

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“He is asking why we develop those areas. That’s a shameful question. Imagine how shallow his reasoning is, especially coming from someone who is himself from the creeks.”

The Commissioner also mentioned that Governor Oborevwori’s leadership facilitated the defection of former PDP members in the state to the APC to drive further development.

“We joined the APC with the intention of broadening the spectrum of development in Delta. We have extended a hand of partnership to our brothers and sisters we met in the APC. Naturally, not everyone will be on the same page from day one, but with time, full integration will happen.

“Talking about developments in Eselemo’s local government area, we have completed all road projects in Burutu Town. The Ayakoromo Bridge is under construction, and work is ongoing on the Ogulaha-Okonti-Odimodi Road.

“We are also building the 47-kilometer Ohoror-Bomadi Road, and Eselemo is fully aware of this. If he wants to talk about development, I am more than willing to engage him.”

Responding to Eselemo’s claim that the Julius Berger bridges in Effurun and Warri are within a 400-meter stretch, Aniagwu dismissed the allegation as false and misleading.

“He claimed that the bridges being constructed in Effurun and Warri are only 400 meters apart. That’s not true. One of the bridges alone exceeds 400 meters in length, and we are building three.

“Let him tell you whether the Enerhen Junction is just 400 meters from the DSC Roundabout. Let him say if PTI Junction is just 400 meters from Enerhen Junction, or from the DSC Roundabout. Clearly, he is not telling the truth.

“And it’s not just bridges we are building—we are also expanding the corridor. Everyone who travels through that corridor has commended Governor Oborevwori for his commitment to infrastructure.

“So I want to know what exactly my brother Collins is unhappy about. Is it our move to the APC or the state’s infrastructural progress? That needs to be clarified.

“Collins used to be more coherent in his arguments than what I witnessed tonight. Responding to the issues he raised is difficult because even he doesn’t seem to know what exactly his problem is with our move to the APC.”

On allegations that the state owes over N400 billion, Aniagwu debunked the claim, describing it as false and completely detached from reality.

“No one is owing N400 billion. Since Governor Oborevwori assumed office, he has not borrowed a single dime.

“In fact, he has repaid over N280 billion in loans and contractual obligations—many of which were inherited from the previous administration and tied to bridging finance.

“So I really don’t understand where Eselemo stands. He is moving from one argument to another without any consistency or clarity.

“I thought he wanted to discuss our defection to the APC. But instead, he started attacking even the APC’s spokesperson, which left me puzzled about what interests or tendencies he represents.

“Perhaps he thought he would come here, spread falsehoods, paint distorted pictures, and go unchecked. But that won’t happen.

“Beyond that, I want to emphasize that we are making tangible progress in Delta, and we are moving forward.

“You heard the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo—he acknowledged that everyone has come together. The APC leaders we met have all welcomed the move.

“So I really need to understand the angle my brother Collins Eselemo is coming from. It’s obvious he is disorganized in his arguments tonight, and that is quite unfortunate.

“I hope, after this interview, he reflects on his position. Right now, he is jumping from one point to another without addressing the very issues he raised.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE