DELTA State, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has emerged as Nigeria’s most peaceful and investor-friendly environment for oil and gas operations.
The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, attributed the state’s stability and security to its increasing appeal among stakeholders in the energy sector.
Speaking in an interview, Ifeajika noted that Governor Oborevwori, in collaboration with key stakeholders, had ensured that the state’s creeks and rivers were safe for oil and gas activities, thus maintaining Delta’s leading position in oil production.
According to him, there have been no reports of security breaches along the waterways and around oil installations in the state. He commended Tantita Security Services for partnering with relevant stakeholders to safeguard oil and gas operations in Delta.
He further revealed that Delta State was recently honoured with the Safest State for Oil and Gas Investment award at the Nigeria Oil and Gas Forum and Award Night, organised by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources in Abuja.
Reflecting on the state’s political trajectory, Ifeajika noted that Delta has operated as a unified political family since 1999.
“It has been a continuum. The good thing about our system is that it has been one administration after another, under the same political party. In Delta, we pride ourselves on having one family in governance.
“That is how it has been since 1999; nothing major has changed. We have continued to make progress, and it is a welcome development.
“We have never had cause for mass protests due to poor governance. Things have gone well for us, development after development. Each administration has built upon the achievements of its predecessor.
“That is what sustainable development means. Deltans are happy with the progress, and we are proud of them. The change we’ve experienced is one of continuous growth.”
Commenting on the recent political shift in Delta, Ifeajika clarified the circumstances surrounding the defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“It wasn’t just the governor who moved; everyone did. The entire political structure shifted. The move was not sudden but followed wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders, from traditional rulers to political leaders.
“We asked ourselves what best served our collective interest. As the number one oil-producing state in Nigeria, Delta deserves more than just FAAC allocations. Greater inclusion at the centre informed the move.
“We don’t call it a defection; it was a movement. It was a strategic decision to improve the fortunes of Deltans, and there was consensus.”
Addressing reports of internal tension within the Delta APC, Ifeajika dismissed the claims.
“There’s a principle in politics: the governor of a state automatically becomes the leader of the party in that state. With our move to the APC, Governor Oborevwori is now the APC leader in Delta.
“Only days ago, the APC Chairman in Delta, Omeni Sobotie, led the party leadership to visit the governor. They reaffirmed, just as the President and Vice President did, that the governor is now the party leader in the state.
“The chairman reiterated this during the visit. They came to pledge loyalty and support to the governor. There is no internal crisis. All of us who joined the APC have been fully welcomed. It’s now one big family in Delta APC, which makes electioneering and political engagement much easier.”
On the issue of insecurity, Ifeajika acknowledged that challenges such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and banditry are nationwide and not peculiar to Delta State.
He emphasised, however, that the Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Oborevwori, is addressing these concerns and reaffirmed that Delta continues to be recognised as one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
