Oborevwori: Delta A Tough State To Govern, But We’ll Deliver, Vows To Blacklist Erring Contractors

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, on Sunday, admitted that Delta state is not an easy state to govern going by its large workforce and the huge dependency on government.

He spoke at the 70th birthday celebration of Chief Roseline Amioku, Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Osubi, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said that despite the current economic challenges confronting the country, his administration would continued to prioritize infrastructural development and workers’ welfare, evidenced by the commencement of the new minimum wage payments.

He urged clerics and Nigerians to continue to pray for President Bola Tinubu and all the state governors and for the nation and its leaders, stressing unity beyond party affiliations.

“Please, continue to pray for Mr President and for all of us in government because times are very tough; it’s been a very challenging time for all of us, including those of us at the state level.

“It’s not easy with us here because 90 per cent of Deltans are depending on the state government and if you look at the entire wage bill of the state, its over 80,000 workers when you combine State Workforce, Local Government workers and teachers, among others.”

As part of his commitment to ensure quality jobs, he said that his administration would blacklist contractors who failed to execute projects in accordance with the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation given to them.

He said his administration would continue to monitor projects across the state and called on contractors to ensure they do the right thing in the interest of the state.

“For those contractors doing substandard jobs in Delta State, they will be blacklisted. We are determined to ensure delivering of quality projects to Deltans.

“It is not easy to govern a state like Delta, and no contractor can complain that we are not paying them.

“We are paying our contractors; projects are going on and we have not borrowed for 16 months and I want to assure Deltans that we will not borrow this year, by the grace of God” the governor enthused.

Governor Oborevwori said that the state had started paying the new minimum wage, assuring that those who have not received, would receive as from Monday.

“I want to thank all Deltans; as a government, we will continue to support them but they should try as much as possible to help themselves too.

“For those who have left this country and are still receiving salaries, we will no longer pay them because they cannot remain abroad and still be on payroll. It is very bad; it is an act of wickedness and will not be accepted.”

Governor Oborevwori assured that his administration would remain focused on revamping infrastructure in the twin cities of Warri and Effurun and environs as well as all other parts of the state.

He reiterated his call on clerics to continue praying for the country and those in government, adding that the nation was facing critical challenges.

“To our Lord Bishop, we cannot succeed without your prayers. We need prayers in this country. Here in Delta State, we are united; we don’t mind whether one is APC or PDP. Senator Ede Dafinone is here; he is my brother and he is from my Constituency.

“The Speaker is managing everybody (Assembly members) because we don’t look at party affiliation; election has come and gone and the key point is how we can move this state forward”.

While congratulating Mrs Amioku, Governor Oborevwori urged the celebrant to continue trusting God and lauded her contributions to the growth of the Delta State Civil Service.

“On behalf of my family, the government and good people of Delta State, I congratulate and rejoice with Chief Mrs Roseline Amioku on her 70th birth anniversary.”

In his homily, titled “Do not lose hope”, the Catholic Bishop of Warri Diocese, Most Revd. Anthony Ewherido, said things might be nasty and terrible at the moment for Nigerians, but urged them not to lose hope because the “Lord will turn things around for good” if they look up to God for help.