~ Malcolm Onajite Tagbarha, FHNR
ORDER IN DELTA simply means, Oborevwori; Rapid; Development; & Empowerment; Revival in Delta State.
This in my opinion, substantially encapsules the ship that currently sails with the MORE Agenda of Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, JP, since he assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, as the 5th elected Governor of Delta State, nearly one year ago, as the captain that brings ORDER to the Delta ship of State, through Meaningful developments; Opportunities for All; Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security, (M.O.R.E).
Captain Oborevwori, on assumption of office, immediately displayed seriousness and consistency with his plans for the State and on a daily basis, has won the hearts of Deltans across the three senatorial districts through his actions and pronouncements.
On the 26th of July, 2023, during an unscheduled visit to the Professor Chike Edozien Secretariat, work place Delta workers, he Rapidly began governance with a brave move to uphold his fidelity and allegiance to the welfare of workers in Delta State, prior to his elections by approving the payment of their promotion arrears of about N5 billion, in three tranches that commenced from August, 2023. This Empowerment gesture, threw the workers into frenzy, singing praises and encomium on the first governor to visit them in their work place. This clearly typifies Oborevwori’s economic Empowerment ORDER to Delta State Civil Servants.
And on Sunday, July 23, 2023, captain Oborevwori reiterated his resolve to restore the glory of the oil city of Warri by transforming the twin cities of Warri and Uvwie and environs through massive infrastructural renewal and environmental sustainability.
In this connection, he awarded a N78 billion contract to construction giant, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, to embark on three mega projects of flyovers, cloverleaf and road expansions, at various locations, such as section of the DSC/NPA expressway from Effurun roundabout, PTI junction, Effurun flyover bridge and Enerhen junction, as well as two pedestrian bridges, respectively. To this end, Warri, Uvwie and environs, are beginning to wear a new look. He also commenced strategic storm water tunnel projects at the three senatorial districts, respectively. This reflects another Oborevwori’s Rapid Development Revival.
Given the importance of education towards the socio-economic development of Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, approved the employment of primary school teaching and non-teaching staff in 22 out of the 25 Local Government Areas in the State as part of his efforts to revamp and bring Revival to the educational sector.
Recall that barely three months into office, Governor Oborevwori, while responding to the economic hardship occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal, rolled out palliatives to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.
In the spirit of continuity, Governor Oborevwori, also lined up several projects initiated by his predecessor, Sen.(Dr .) Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa, for inauguration. In this regard, on Thursday September 7, 2023, he inaugurated multi-million naira projects, such as 500 and double 250-seater auditorium, faculty building and furnishing of faculty of Agriculture, Administrative building; Vice Chancellors lodge; gare entrance access road, at the Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai-Asaba.
He also inaugurated 29 network of roads with 31.45km line drains around Madonna College road in Asaba and Okpanam areas of Oshimili South and Oshimili North Local Government Council areas.
On Monday, June 26, 2023, Governor Oborevwori, while on his way to Asaba via Ughelli axis, made a stopover to clean the augean stable of the ever busy Otovwodo junction at the East-West road in Ughelli, where there is perpetual logjam due to traders, vehicles, tricycle, and okada are usually locked in a struggle at the intersection. He immediately ordered the relocation of a private motor park and traders along the road.
Due to his firm resolve to rid the state of hard drugs, and other prohibited substances and it’s association with crime, Governor Oborevwori, was presented with a souvenir by the Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. General Mohammed Buba Marwa.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in February of 2023, at the Government House, Asaba, set a national record by being the first in the country to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with Serendib Capital, UK, for the restoration of mangrove forest, seagrass protection and preservation of the ecosystem for environmental sustainability.
Hopefully and Malcolmatically Speaking, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, will be commissioning multiple projects that has been completed across the length and breadth of Delta State, to mark his one year in office
Malcolm Onajite Tagbarha, FHNR, a multi-award winning writer, author, certified United States Agency for International Development, (USAID/International Republican Institute, IRI) campaign trainer and National Legislative Policy Advocate. He is a brand strategist and strategic political communicator, who has served as former Special Assistant, SA to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, State, and the Pioneer Chief Press Secretary to Sapele LGA Council and by extension , the very first at the Local Government level in Delta State. He is a fellow of the prestigious Institute of Human and Natural Resources.