Delta Govt, APC In War Of Words Over Alleged Borrowing Spree

The Delta State Government and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), are currently at daggers drawn over alleged borrowing spree by successive government and current administration in the state.

In a statement marking the 33rd anniversary of the creation of the state, the APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo, took the state government to the cleaners, accusing successive governments of amassing wealth at the expense of infrastructure development.

Specifically, APC maintained that under the PDP administration, the state government’s history is marred by a string of bad leaders who have prioritized personal gain over development.

Onojeghuo, in the statement postulated that the 33rd anniversary celebration is a sober reminder of the missed opportunities and wasteful mismanagement of resources in the state, stressing that rather than celebrating, “It is a call to action to end bad governance in Delta State and build a state that Deltans can truly be proud of.”

Maintaining that despite the “staggering debt profile” incurred occasioned by ‘reckless borrowing’, the state’s infrastructure lies in decay, crime rates are rising, and poverty levels are alarming.

APC emphasized that in Delta State, “Governmental agencies have become mere shells for settling political cronies, with budget allocations shared amongst members as compensatory payments for working for the party’s victory.”

The party, however lampooned the administration of former governors, Chief James Ibori, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as well as the incumbent governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori for leaving ‘indelible marks of misgovernance, with a legacy of debt, decay and despoliation’.

The statement reads; “The likes of Uduaghan, Okowa, and Sheriff Oborevwori have left indelible marks of misgovernance, with a legacy of debt, decay and despoliation.

“Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration left a staggering debt profile of over 600 billion, while Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s tenure was marked by reckless borrowing, with over 1.2 trillion received in 13% Derivation funds and nothing to show for it.

“The current Governor, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has continued this trend, taking a 40 billion loan as his first official act and boasting of a M.O.R.E agenda that promises more of the same. His administration’s only achievements are the Effurun and Enerhen flyover projects, a meagre feat considering the state’s vast resources.

“For over 20 years, Delta State has been governed by charlatans who have manipulated the electoral process to seize power and unleash a reign of despoliation. The state’s infrastructure lies in decay, crime rates are rising, and poverty levels are alarming. The Ughelli-Asaba expressway flagged off 16 years ago, remains uncompleted”.

But in a counter statement, Dr. Ifeanyi M. Osuoza, the State Commissioner of Information, dismissed claims by the APC, saying specifically that the Oborevwori administration did not borrow N40 billion and has not borrowed any money since inception.

Although the Information Commissioner was silent about allegations of how Oborevwori’s predecessors ran the government and left staggering debt profile, he acknowledged the fact that the so-called N465 billion debt amount is actually the existing debt profile accumulated by previous administrations in the State.

Osuoza, specifically said that rather than vilify Governor Oborevwori, the governor, according to him, actually ‘deserves commendation, not condemnation, for being a man of honour and integrity’.

According to him, debt servicing/repayment improves the credibility of any administration in the global financial community as a serious minded and progressive administration, which will enjoy the respect and support of financial institutions.

The statement reads; “The Delta State Government notes with serious concern some reports in some online media platforms alleging that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori borrowed the sum of N40 billion soon after assuming office.

“The reports are not only misleading, but also capable of creating misunderstanding and confusion in the State. For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state categorically that the Delta State Government DID NOT Borrow N40 billion. And the Sheriff Oborevwori administration has not borrowed any dime till now. The records are there for anybody who cares for the truth to verify.

“What the Oborevwori administration did was to graciously guarantee a N40b loan facility for ALGON, to enable it offset the unpaid pension liabilities of retired Local Government personnel. Repayable over a five-year period, the loan is to be repaid through direct debits to the Local Government Councils.

“For the umpteen time, let me also state without equivocation that the so-called N465 billion debt amount is actually the existing debt profile accumulated by previous administrations in the State. Governor Oborevwori, as many would testify, is a prudent manager of resources, and has done the right thing by keeping to the terms of repayment as specified in the loan agreements. The Governor deserves commendation, not condemnation, for being a man of honour and integrity.

“Debt servicing/repayment improves the credibility of any administration in the global financial community as a serious minded and progressive administration, which will enjoy the respect and support of financial institutions. It is only a well run economy that can embark on debt servicing and still maintain its developmental vision and focus for the welfare and well being of its citizens, as the Oborevwori administration has continued to do”, the statement added.