By Olusegun Olanrewaju
Is Sheriff Francis Oborevwori the new ‘oil sheik’ in Nigeria? Well, it depends on what ‘Ukodo’, as he is often fondly packaged by acquaintances, makes of the revenues from oil that comes from the federal allocation monthly as a leading oil-producing state.
To get to office as the governor of the oil-rich state, his path was laced with a lot of intrigues, most of which he has survived.
Now that he’s busy commemorating his 40th day as governor of Delta State, having been sworn in on May 29, 2023, alongside many of his colleagues nationwide, it is not expected that things would be too easy to achieve, but he’s not deterred.
From a journey he started as a ‘co-traveller’ with colleague councillors in the old Okpe Local Government Area (LGA), now Okpe, Uvwie, and Udu LGAs, Oborevwori ‘By His Grace’ has taken a stride to place the state in an enviable position.
This much was attested to by a pack of past councillors of Okpe origin at the LGA, 1996 set, “Who are your colleagues and still in the same political umbrella with you in the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party),” they said in a congratulatory newspaper advert on ‘Ukodo’s 30th day anniversary in office.
On his election, they penned,’Ukodo’, they said, “We are very proud to be identified with you on this epochal ground-breaking achievement of yours. We are elated and greatly honoured.”
“We wish you more and more achievements and successful tenures in Jesus’ name, Amen!!! Once again a big congratulations to you and all Deltans.”
If prayers and good wishes were horses, of course, Oborevwori would gladly ride. And this is what he has been doing since the assumption of power weeks ago.
On the occasion of his 40th day in office in the ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’ Delta State as governor, Oborevwori says he is at home with the problems facing the enclave and would do all his best to contain them.
So much water has passed under the bridge since the inauguration day on May 29, 2023. But potent as the forces of fate assail, ‘Ukodo’ has been demonstrating his determination to better a lot of his people.
The political purse of achievements is loaded. Recently, the governor received accolades for his demonstrated commitment to the creation of a robust economy for the state with the export processing zones in the Koko and Kwale areas.
Omayeli Okotie, the Convener of the second Warri North Summit billed to hold on August 3, this year, also lauded the activities of the governor so far.
In a statement, Omayeli recalled that the governor, in his inaugural address on May 29, had assured that his administration would ensure the full operation of the free trade areas.
And recently, the Chairman of the Okpe Union Worldwide, Robert Onome, asked critics to leave Oborevwori alone’, saying “he has all the necessary experience and what it takes to govern Delta State.
He said, “I see nothing wrong in Governor Oborevwori’s seeking advice from the senior citizens of the state, including the immediate past governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa.
“I, therefore, appeal to those making insinuations to understand that Oborevwori came at a time when the economy of the country is in a bad state and there is serious disaffection in the Niger Delta. I know he is going to prove those criticising him wrong at the end of the day”
Another tribute goes from Paul Omoefe (efe Best) and his wife, Ufuoma Emoefe, who wrote, “As they (Oborevwori and his deputy, Monday Onyema) settle down to make Deltans proud, our appeal, particularly to those who lost to him at the election, is to accept the overwhelming verdict of the people, embrace his clear vision, astute leadership and inclusiveness as a basis for better tomorrow.”
Of truth, some critics have been saying that 40 days into his administration, the shape of the government of the new Sheriff in Delta State has not emerged. But others, on the other hand, think that, with his well-packaged MORE agenda – Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, realistic Reforms, and Enhance Peace and Security, a methodical approach has been brought to governance.
But ignoring critics, Oborevwori, aides attest, has initiated moves and actions, especially during his various stopovers in the three senatorial districts of the state, to inspect projects that it is not going to be business as usual with the state government.
*Challenges
It may not have all been all highs as some critics have lambasted the governor in the wake of a recent revelation that the state government had borrowed N40bn from commercial banks for the payment of primary school teachers and local government pensioners in the state.
However, this has been debunked on behalf of the Oborevwori-led government by officials of the state chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
“It is exclusively the local government councils that are borrowing this money. The only role played by the state government is to grant approvals and forward it to the state house of assembly,” Victor Ebonka, the state chairman of ALGON said in Asaba, the state capital.
By his submission, “No penny from the N40bn will go to the coffers of the councils. According to him, the problem was inherited from the two previous administrations in the state “and it has to do with an error in enrolment into contributory pension scheme. And for these shortcomings, we have found ourselves using their accrued rights from 2016 to date.”
*Prospects
As a project monitoring measure, in the past few weeks, the governor has embarked on an inspection tour of various ongoing projects in the state, assuring that his administration would continue to fund legacy projects, as well as inaugurate only those executed to specifications.
Some of such projects visited include Sectors ‘A’ and ‘C’ of the Ughelli/Asaba dual carriageway; 9.1 km Isheagu-Ewulu Road project; Phases 1 and 2 of the Warri Effurun Stormwater Control Projects in Warri and Warri Township Stadium, Effurun/Eku road, among others.
On the economic level, the governor said in Ibusa, Delta North senatorial district, that his administration is not in a hurry to commission projects, and must ensure the execution of such projects according to specifications, and in enduring high-quality standards.
Oborevwori, state officials also stated, has advised LGCs against imposing multiple taxation to reduce the burden on the population occasioned by the subsidy removal regime.
In line with his earlier promise at the inauguration, the governor has promised to give the required attention to Warri City on a special status grade.
He has rejected homes and offices constructed on channels, especially at the Warri/Effurun and Uvwie local government councils. The project is nearing completion.
At the Warri township stadium, the governor says he is not satisfied with the speed of work; he wants speedy delivery. In the Ughelli axis in Delta Central, he disapproved of trading on the high and expressways. “That is unacceptable. Trading on the road is also not acceptable. You can see the risk involved in trading on express roads,” he said.
Oborevwori has also vowed to ensure improved revenue to the state from Internally Generated Revenue (AGR).
As it is with the plethora of goodies he has lined up for the state it only remains to appeal to the citizens to obey the admonition of the elders of the state to let Oborevwori ‘do his job unmolested’.
