“Time for politics is over,” DSTG Invites APC for Facility Tour

The Delta State government has extended an invitation to the Publicity Secretary of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Valentine Onojeghuo, and his team to embark on a facility tour of projects initiated by the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. This invitation follows comments made by Onojeghuo in response to the recent presentation of the state’s scorecard by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, during his New Year goodwill message.

Dr. Osuoza expressed disappointment over Onojeghuo’s attempt to politicize the innocuous New Year message by claiming that the state government’s M.O.R.E Agenda (Meaningful Development, Opportunities, Reforms, and Empowerment) had not delivered any significant progress in the new year. Osuoza strongly rebutted the claims, pointing to numerous ongoing and completed projects as evidence of the administration’s commitment to development.

Among the notable projects highlighted by the Commissioner were the Warri/Effurun Flyover bridges, massive stormwater drainage projects aimed at curbing flooding in the Warri/Effurun metropolis, and extensive road development in Ughelli, Sapele, and Olomoro-Igbide. The administration is also focusing on completing critical infrastructure, including the 139-kilometre Asaba-Ughelli Expressway and the multi-million naira Obo Bridge in Ogwashi Uku.

Other projects include the Kwale-Beneku Bridge, Ayakoromo Bridge across the Forcados River, and a number of roads in Ika North East and Ika South Local Government Areas. In total, the state is undertaking over 500 road projects spanning 1,300 kilometres, alongside 950 kilometres of drainage works.

Osuoza also dismissed Onojeghuo’s claims that only N1 billion had been earmarked for infrastructure in each of Delta’s 25 Local Government Areas, stating that the 2025 budget has allocated N2 billion for each area to develop roads. Furthermore, 60% of the state’s 2025 budget is dedicated to capital expenditure, one of the highest such allocations in the country.

In the area of health, Osuoza noted significant strides including the renovation and re-equipment of 150 primary health care centres and 64 general hospitals, as well as the growth of the State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, which now covers over 2 million enrollees. He also pointed to the administration’s investment in tertiary education, with ongoing projects at Southern Delta University, the University of Delta, and the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.

On social investments, the Oborevwori administration has expanded the D-CARES programme from 36,000 to over 250,000 beneficiaries and has initiated several empowerment schemes such as the MORE Grant Scheme, MORE Biz-Up, and WESAP, which have supported thousands of individuals, including persons with disabilities.

The Delta State government also reiterated its commitment to agricultural development, citing the empowerment of over 6,000 farmers and the establishment of partnerships aimed at raising 50,000 agro-preneurs in collaboration with the African Development Bank’s NEPAD programme.

In light of these accomplishments, the state government has invited Onojeghuo and his team to visit the various project sites and report their findings. Osuoza emphasized that the invitation is an opportunity for the APC spokesman to witness the progress firsthand and present an accurate account of the administration’s achievements, rather than relying on hearsay or political speculation.

“The time for politics is over,” Osuoza concluded. “Now is the time for governance, and when the time for politics comes, we will all be ready to engage.”