BY CHIBUZOR ISICHEI
Travelling from one part of Delta State to another, one finds large expanse of fallow lands neatly fenced out by the so-called owners and abandoned for years waiting for buyers, and of course, the highest bidders.
Because the so-called owners have “taken possession” of the lands, nobody dares enter into these for as long as possible, and this has left many places underdeveloped. After so many years, some of these areas become criminal hideouts to the detriment of the general public.
It is on this view that we consider the recent calls by the Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for capable Nigerians to come and invest in Delta State, who said that the Delta is peaceful and safe for investment.
Governor Oborevwori was speaking while receiving business mogul and Chairman of Cubana Groups, Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, during a dedication of the Millennium City project to God in Asaba, the State Capital.
The Governor’s call is laudable and patriotic and with the coming of Cubana, the call is seen as already yielding results. But one pertinent question is, must development and investment be limited to only Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan and other big cities?
With what is happening in most of these cities, it would appear that they are already filled to the brim and congested while other parts of the country are left fallow and begging for development.
No doubt, Governor Oborevwori has made significant development strides since assuming office on May 29, 2023. Some of the highlights of his achievements include improved road infrastructures, advanced education in the state, better healthcare, youth empowerment programmes, fiscal prudence, peace and security, among others. A combination of all these has yielded to good governance which has attracted and continues to attract more investments to the state.
Yes, the proposed Millennium City in Delta State, which is a large-scale mixed-use development in Asaba, the State Capital could not have come without infrastructures by the state government. It was gathered that the City is designed to be a modern live-work-play environment integrating luxury residential neighbourhoods, commercial and business districts, hospitality and leisure facilities and purpose-built spaces for entertainment and social interaction.
With the brief on the project, it is going to be one of the best of its kind in this part of the world. Cubana Millennium City is expected to unlock new economic opportunities, improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for residents in Asaba and its environment. In all, it aligns with the Delta State Government’s MORE Agenda, focusing on modernisation, opportunities, resource efficiency and enhanced infrastructure.
With the MORE Agenda, the Governor is certainly focused. It appears Governor Oborevwori is just beginning with Asaba’s proximity to Onitsha because the state capital needs a project of that magnitude to contain people and materials. Cubana told the Governor that the Millennium City is a large-scale mixed-use development expected to materialise as planned, with the first phase scheduled for occupation by December 2026 .The project’s status is currently under construction, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on December 7, 2025
The development aims to transform Asaba into a premier investment and tourism destination, aligning with the Delta State government’s Agenda for accelerated development and economic growth. With Asaba’s natural position, the Millennium City will stimulate economic activity, create jobs and attract investors. It will improve road networks, drainage systems and other public utilities, boost demand for properties, drive up land and property prices in the Capital territory, and more importantly, thousands of direct and indirect jobs are expected during and after completion of the project.
A cross-section of Deltans who spoke on the project praised the effort of the Governor in attracting such a gigantic and progressive project to the State, and in fact, the Capital. They said that the city is expected to experience significant growth and development with the Millennium City catalyzing urban expansion and investment.
They noted that the project is designed to enhance Asaba’s status as a fast-growing urban and investment hub, proving a modern and sustainable living environment for residents, stressing that more persons are already trooping into the state from other parts of the country.
According to some indigenes of Asaba, this is the time the government should start to think about the expansion of the city. They added that the government should be thinking fast about improving the welfare of the residents of the Capital City.
The residents also challenged the government on development and investment, urging capable Deltans to come and invest in Delta as the State is safe for investors to thrive, adding that the state government is trying to provide enough infrastructure to enable investors to invest and get returns for their investment.
We hope that investors should heed Governor Oborevwori’s call to come and invest in Delta. As the saying goes ‘’that there is no place like home,” and we are the Big Heart.
