Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta said it was a simple but deliberate approach by his administration to invest two billon naira on roads infrastructure in each of the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor disclosed this in his remarks at the year 2025 Edition of Maris Annual Public Service Lecture with the theme, “Local Governance and Sustainable Development” held on Wednesday in Asaba.
He said that as a state government, his M.O.R.E. Agenda has been anchored on a foundation of inclusiveness, fiscal responsibility and grassroots development, adding that sustainable development was not a slogan but must be felt in every ward, village and town across the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Government House, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, the governor thanked the guest lecturer for delivering a well- researched lecture that had posed the puzzle for every government.
According to Oborevwori, “sustainable development demands that we meet the needs of today without compromising the future.
“The theme is apt, it speaks directly to the soul of our administration and our vision for Delta state. Local Government is the closest and most impactful to the people.
“When local government functions well, communities thrive, roads are maintained, schools function, healthcare becomes accessible and our youths find purpose.
“The local government must be empowered to drive inclusive growth.
“Since assumption of office, we have prioritised strengthening local government structure by ensuring transparency, accountability and community participation.
“We have invested over N2 billion each on roads project across all 25 LGAs of the state fostering connectivity and economic activity. Our approach is simple but deliberate.”
He noted that investing in infrastructure especially in the riverine communities helped connect people and opened up economic opportunities, promote human capital development through quality education and accessible healthcare.
He called for the strengthening of the local institution, adding that sustainable development would not be achieved by chance but by consistent people focused governance.
“It is our duty to ensure that as we pursue growth, we do not leave behind the vulnerable or destroy the environment that sustain us, however, sustainable development demands peace, unity and collaboration.
” I have consistently urged community leaders, president generals and traditional rulers to prioritise dialogue and mediation in resolving disputes.
“Peace is the foundation upon which development thrives. Let me remind us that no nation rise above the strength of its sub-national unit.
“The future of Nigeria depends not only on decisions made in Abuja but on what we all do in our wards, LGAs and states,’ he said.
Oborevwori, therefore, urged all to be dedicated to building a state and a country where the future generations could be proud of.
In his welcome address, the Chairman, Maris Trust Council, Sir Kenneth Olise, represented by Pharmacist Paul Enebeli, former President General, Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), thanked all who made it to the Sixth Edition in the series.
He said that the lecture series started in 2019 and was instituted in the memory of Stella-Maris’ Chukwufunimnenya Egugbo and he commended the Secretary of Maris Trust Council, Mr Fidelis Egugbo for working assiduously to sustain the annual lecture series.
Olise thanked the state government for supporting the lecture and for extending development to the community where Maris Schools was sited.
On his part, the Chairman of the Occasion, His Imperial Majesty, Obi Oputa III, lauded the guest lecturer for the impacting lecture and thanked the governor for the infrastructural development in the state.
The Guest Lecturer and Keynote Speaker, Sir Patrick Ejidoh, former Managing Director, Champions Breweries, called for collective action and a well defined framework and plan of action to achieve good governance and sustainable development at the local government councils.
He emphasised on the need for improved funding, capacity building and definitive roles for the local government councils, education partnership with communities, civil society organisation and the private sectors to promote good governance at the local institution.
He said that attaining the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may not be realisable in 2030 due to lack of measurable indices (data) and clear road maps and lack of monitoring, adding that it required collective effort of all to achieve.
The discussants at the lecture which was moderated by Prof. Kemi Emina of Delta State University, Abraka, suggested that local government administration should focus on meeting the needs of people at the grassroots.
On his part, Mr Charles Aniagwu, Delta Commissioner for Works(Rural Roads) and Public Information, urged the council chairmen to prioritise and direct their limited funds to addressing the needs of the people at the grassroots.
“Construct earthen roads, renovate rural markets, undertake environmental sanitations and stay and consult with the people because the essence of governance is to reach out to majority of the people within the limited resources,” Aniagwu said.
Mr Vincent Oyibode, Chairman, Udu Local Government Council, Delta, said there had been competition among the LGAs in the state owing to improved funding and the monitoring since the current administration.
While an Entrepreneur and Estate Manager, Mabel Magbulu, urged the council to explore agriculture as an alterative for poverty reduction and jobs creation.
The Secretary Maris Trust Council, Fidelis Egugbo, thanked the governor and all stakeholders for supporting the lecture series and Maris Schools.
He pledged a more robust lecture come April 1, 2026, while urging more support for the Trust Council to create more opportunities for the less privileged in the community to acquire education at Maris Schools at an affordable rate.
In attendance are Rev. Fr. John Konyeke, Commissioners, local government chairmen, permanent secretaries, among others.
Maris lecture holds every Wednesday before Easter Sunday and it is a platform used to proffer solutions to the challenges of the society.
