BY FESTUS AHON
As the rains continue to drench Asaba, Delta State’s capital, one thing stands out this year, the city is no longer drowning. For residents long tormented by perennial floods that turned streets into rivers, relief is finally on the horizon. And at the center of this transformation stands Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whose commitment to practical governance is steadily reshaping the landscape of Delta State through the MORE Agenda, Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.
Only last Monday, Oborevwori was seen walking briskly through a muddy stretch of Summit Road in Asaba, inspecting the sprawling network of concrete drains that make up the multi-billion-naira flood control project. He was joined by engineers from China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), his Works Commissioner, and local residents who could hardly hide their excitement.
“This is the solution,” the governor declared, gesturing towards the massive underground channels. “The only way to permanently solve Asaba’s flooding challenge is to take the water straight to the river.”
The project, stretching 6.5 kilometers from Summit Road to the Amilimocha Stream, has already started paying off. Flooding around Shoprite, Interbau, and adjoining streets, once the city’s most notorious trouble spots, has been drastically reduced. According to Oborevwori, the completed sections are already diverting stormwater efficiently, ensuring that businesses and homes remain dry even at the height of the rainy season.
With concrete drains measuring 2.4 by 2.4 meters and six meters deep in some sections, the engineering work is one of the most ambitious in the state’s history. It’s not just about drainage, it’s about restoring confidence, reviving property values, and protecting livelihoods.
“For years, this area has been a flood zone,” the governor noted. “But now people can see real progress. This is not just construction; it’s about improving lives.”
The governor revealed that 40 per cent of the contract sum has already been mobilised to CCECC to ensure smooth execution, with full completion expected by March 2026. It’s one of several major infrastructural undertakings that define Oborevwori’s brand of continuity, finishing what was started under his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and pushing even further.
“We are completing what was started. Just as we’re doing here in Asaba, we’re replicating success in Warri, where phases one and two of the storm drainage projects have been substantially completed and phase three is ongoing. This government is about continuity and impact,” he said.
Empowering Dreams, Not Just Building Roads
While the Asaba flood project speaks to Oborevwori’s drive for physical infrastructure, his wife, Deaconess. Tobore Oborevwori, is equally committed to building economic infrastructure in people, particularly women.
At Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, hundreds of women erupted in joy as Deaconess Oborevwori launched the MORE Cap-Up Empowerment Programme, a ₦48 million initiative that empowered 320 women entrepreneurs across the state. Each beneficiary received ₦150,000 capitalisation grants, having been trained in business management and financial literacy through the Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMEDA).
“This is more than support; it’s an investment in dreams, families, and communities,” Dcns. Oborevwori said. “It reflects the vision and compassion of my dear husband, whose MORE Agenda continues to open doors of opportunity by strengthening entrepreneurs and empowering lives.”
From tailoring and catering to crafts and cosmetics, these women are part of a growing ecosystem of grassroots entrepreneurs whose creativity fuels Delta’s local economies. DEMSMEDA’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Godwin Adolor, explained that the programme was designed to stimulate rural enterprise and social inclusion.
“With the right support, these women can become catalysts for sustainable development and social progress in their communities,” Adolor affirmed.
Caring for the Elders, Fast-Tracking Progress
Just two days after the empowerment event, the Delta State Executive Council (EXCO) sat in Government House, Asaba, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, on the directive of Governor Oborevwori, who was away on official engagement. The meeting produced another major policy decision, the disbursement of ₦10 billion to clear pension arrears inherited from previous administrations.
“This is in fulfillment of the governor’s promise to ease the hardship of pensioners,” announced the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu. “A committee has been set up to ensure transparency and fairness.”
The meeting also reviewed timelines for major projects, including the two Julius Berger-handled flyovers at Agbor (Uromi Junction) and Ughelli (Otovwodo Junction). To expedite delivery, the completion periods were revised downward, from 24 months to 18 months for Agbor, and from 24 months to 14 months for Ughelli.
“These adjustments will fast-track project completion, ease traffic congestion, and stimulate economic activity,” Aniagwu explained, adding that non-performing contracts were also terminated to safeguard public funds.
One of the affected projects is the Igbodo Junction–Ubulu-Uku to Ogwashi-Uku Road, which will be re-awarded to a more competent contractor. “Governor Oborevwori has made it clear that projects must deliver value to Deltans,” Aniagwu stressed.
Planning for Tomorrow
Meanwhile, the state government has already turned its gaze toward the future. At the same EXCO meeting, the 2026 Budget Framework, including the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Fiscal Strategy Paper, and Economic Policy Statement, was approved, setting the stage for the next fiscal year.
The Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, said the documents were aligned with national macroeconomic assumptions endorsed by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. These include oil production at 1.7 million barrels per day, an exchange rate of ₦1,500 to the dollar, GDP growth of 3.4 percent, and inflation at 23 percent.
“Today’s approval signals the beginning of a new budget season for Delta State,” Ekedayen said. “It ensures that our planning aligns with national realities while pursuing our state’s development goals.”
The Council also approved the construction of 10 new Judges’ Quarters, five in Asaba and five in Warri/Osubi, to improve the welfare and productivity of the judiciary. Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Godknows Angele, described the project as part of the administration’s commitment to strengthening all arms of government.
Strengthening the Knowledge Pillar
Education remains a major pillar of the MORE Agenda, and the governor’s recent charge to the governing councils of Delta’s state-owned tertiary institutions underscored his belief that no development can endure without human capital.
Speaking at a workshop themed “Effective Governance in Tertiary Institutions: Challenges, Opportunities and Best Practices”, Governor Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, urged councils to embrace global best practices while remaining responsive to local realities.
“Our goal is to ensure that management practices in our institutions reflect international standards,” he said. “Education is central to the MORE Agenda, and we must nurture the human capital that drives our developmental vision.”
Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, said the workshop was designed to equip council members with the knowledge and tools for effective oversight, while State Assembly Education Committee Chairman, Hon. Charles Emetulu, praised the state’s proactive approach to institutional governance.
Dr. Kareem Lateef from the Federal Ministry of Education, who delivered a keynote paper, emphasized the need for transparency, role clarity, and ethical leadership in university governance, principles that align with Oborevwori’s vision of accountable, forward-looking administration.
Building a Legacy of Continuity and Compassion
From massive infrastructure projects to social empowerment, from fiscal reforms to educational governance, the Oborevwori administration’s imprint is unmistakable, pragmatic, people-focused, and forward-looking.
His approach blends compassion with continuity, ensuring that every policy or project, whether physical or institutional, contributes to the well-being of Deltans.
As Oborevwori continues his project inspection tours with the planned flag-off of the Okpanam–Ugbolu Road and other strategic initiatives already lined up, one theme remains clear: Delta is on a new path of sustainable development, built not on politics, but on purpose.
In the words of the governor himself: “This government is about continuity and impact. It’s about improving lives, restoring confidence, and building a Delta State that works for everyone.”
