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Tag: Delta govt

  • Delta Govt flays Asaba waterfront encroachment, threatens mass demolition

    Delta Govt flays Asaba waterfront encroachment, threatens mass demolition

    The Delta State Government has issued a stern warning to developers and the public to stay off the Asaba Waterfront City project site, vowing to demolish all illegal structures within the area.

    The Special Project Director, Hon. Barr. Victor Ebonka gave the warning during an inspection tour of the site in Asaba, alongside officials of the Ministry of Lands and Surveys.

    He stressed that the government will not tolerate any form of encroachment on the flagship project.

    Ebonka explained that the entire expanse of land designated for the Asaba Waterfront City had been duly acquired by the state government, fully gazetted, and that all rightful landowners had been adequately compensated before the acquisition.

    He stressed that the land is government-owned and therefore highly encumbered.

    He expressed concern that some individuals had fallen victim to fraud perpetrated by land speculators and other unscrupulous elements who exploited the ongoing development in the area to deceive unsuspecting buyers.

    According to him, prospective land buyers must always verify the status of any land by consulting the Ministry of Lands and Surveys, the Town Planning Office, and other relevant authorities before making any purchase, particularly in high-profile development zones such as the Asaba Waterfront City.

    “That is why we are here today to mark illegal structures and fences for demolition. Occupants are not entitled to statutory notices because this is fully gazetted government land,” he said.

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    Ebonka advised affected persons to immediately seek refunds from those who sold the land to them illegally and to remove any structures or encumbrances they had placed on the site.

    “Government will not hesitate to act. All illegal structures will be demolished, and those responsible will bear the full cost of the demolition,” he warned.

    He added that it was in the best interest of those involved to salvage what they could, noting that bulldozers would soon move in to clear all illegal developments on the land.

    The Special Project Director disclosed that the ongoing excavation works were preparatory activities for proper land reclamation.

    He identified North China Construction Company and Falklands Nigeria Limited as the two major developers currently operating in the area.

    “North China Construction Company controls a little over 300 hectares and is developing the Waterfront City, while Falklands holds the larger portion, which will be developed as Niger City. These are two major cities that will emerge here in the near future,” he said.

  • Delta Govt proposes N3bn to boost MSMEs in 2026

    Delta Govt proposes N3bn to boost MSMEs in 2026

    The Delta State Government has proposed over N3bn for the State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DESMEDA) in its 2026 fiscal plan.

    The government said the allocation highlighted a significant commitment to enhancing the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the state.

    The Executive Secretary of DESMEDA, Dr. Godwin Adolor, emphasised the importance of this funding during a presentation to the inter-ministerial budget committee in Asaba.

    He said the proposed budget aimed to strengthen support for MSMEs, reflecting the government’s intention to foster economic growth and job creation within the sector.

    He said the development would ensure businesses obtain the necessary funding to start and expand operations, noting that it would help MSMEs to find and penetrate new markets for their products and services.

    Adolor also said the initiative would provide training and resources to enhance the skills of entrepreneurs, highlighting that many businesses fail due to inadequate knowledge and skills.

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    To combat this, he noted that DESMEDA plans to intensify training programmes aimed at equipping entrepreneurs with essential competencies to thrive in a competitive environment.

    He further said the agency is committed to leveraging the successes achieved in the previous year, suggesting a proactive approach to continuous improvement and adaptation in support of MSMEs.

    He added that the proposed budget and strategic focus by DESMEDA signalled a robust effort to nurture and develop the MSME sector in Delta State, potentially leading to enhanced economic development and sustainability in the state.

    He commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for prioritising MSME growth, describing it as critical to the economic survival of any state.

    Highlighting achievements in 2025, he said DESMEDA, in partnership with the governor’s wife, Deaconess Tobore Oborevwori, provided N150,000 grants to 320 rural women involved in the creative industry.

    He said additional grants were also extended to MSME operators across the state.

    Adolor stated: “The agency has completed plans to host the First Delta State MSME Summit in December, which will bring together operators, financial institutions, and trainers to chart solutions for sustainable enterprise development.

    “DESMEDA has successfully mapped out genuine MSME operators in the state, a move aimed at ensuring that government interventions reach real business owners.”

    The forthcoming summit, he added, would provide a platform for MSME operators, financiers, and trainers to interface and develop actionable strategies for the future.

  • Delta govt issues deadline for tourism, hospitality operators to renew registration

    Delta govt issues deadline for tourism, hospitality operators to renew registration

    The Delta state government has issued a stern reminder to all operators within the state’s tourism and hospitality sector to regularise their registration and settle any outstanding renewal fees for the year 2025 without further delay.

    In an official announcement released by the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Dr. Darlington Nnamdi Ijeh, emphasised that the directive applies to all establishments, including hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, fast food outlets, tour operating companies, travel agencies, amusement parks, gardens, and nightclubs, among others.

    He warned that failure to comply with this directive would attract strict sanctions, which could include the sealing of non-compliant premises, in accordance with existing state laws and regulations.

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    “The cooperation of all stakeholders in ensuring full compliance is hereby solicited,” Dr. Ijeh stated. “This notice serves as an official reminder to all concerned operators to update their registration with the Delta State Tourism Board.”

     Ijeh said the move is part of the state government’s efforts to streamline operations within the tourism and hospitality sector, enhance regulation, and ensure that all businesses operate within the legal framework established by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

     He, therefore, urged operators to visit the Delta State Tourism Board to complete their registration or renewal processes promptly to avoid penalties.

  • PTI seeks partnership with Delta govt on oil and gas training for youths

    PTI seeks partnership with Delta govt on oil and gas training for youths

    …as Oborevwori donates buses to institute

    The Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, has expressed readiness to collaborate with the state government on international oil and gas training programmes designed to equip youths with employable skills and drive economic growth in the state.

    Speaking during a courtesy call on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba, on Tuesday, the Principal and Chief Executive Officer of PTI, Dr. Samuel Onoji, said the Institute was committed to offering discounted and subsidised international trainings in oil and gas to enhance the employability of Delta youths.

    Onoji commended Governor Oborevwori’s infrastructural drive, describing developments under his administration as unprecedented in the history of the state.

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    He also appreciated the Governor for reconnecting electricity to the Institute and invited the Governor to the Institute’s International Hydrocarbons and Scientific Conference scheduled for October at the PTDF Hall, Abuja.

    In his remarks, Oborevwori commended PTI and the Minister of Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobri, for releasing 25 hectares of land to the state government, stressing that the gesture reflected their commitment to Delta’s growth and development.

    The governor said, “PTI is very dear to us in Delta because it opened the door for other federal government establishments to come into our state.

    “We don’t take anything concerning PTI lightly. Your visit today is a demonstration of your commitment, and I assure you that this government will continue to support the Institute in all its endeavours.

    As part of his support, Governor Oborevwori approved the donation of a Coaster Bus and an 18-seater Hiace Bus to meet the mobility needs of staff and students of PTI.

    Established in 1972, PTI is regarded as the foremost petroleum training institute in Africa, mandated to train and retrain skilled manpower for the oil and gas industry.

  • Joining APC was to align with centre for greater benefits — Delta Govt

    Joining APC was to align with centre for greater benefits — Delta Govt

    Delta State Government has said its decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was taken after careful consideration of the development trajectory of the state and the need to align with the centre for greater benefits.

    Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, stated this recently during an interview with TVC in Abuja on Friday. 

    Aniagwu stated that Governor Oborevwori’s leadership style anchored on transparency, equity, and justice is building trust among Deltans and bridging longstanding divides across ethnic and political lines.

    Speaking further, Aniagwu explained the recent political realignment that saw Governor Oborevwori and the entire state political structure move from the PDP to the APC. 

    He said: “The decision was taken after careful consideration of the development trajectory of the state and the need to align with the centre for greater benefits.

    “At some point, we were clear about why we had to leave our former party. Remaining in a structure where internal crises threatened the nomination processes would not serve the interests of development in our state.”

    He referenced unresolved internal issues in the PDP, particularly the controversy surrounding the party’s National Secretary position as one of the key triggers for the defection.

    “Even just a few days ago, the INEC position on who should serve as the National Secretary of the PDP was still being contested. 

    “That position of Secretary is important and plays a critical role in any party structure, and instability there undermines nomination processes,” he said.

    Aniagwu noted upon moving to the APC, the Oborevwori administration was able to manage the existing party structures and tendencies within the APC effectively, thereby ensuring a smooth political transition.

    “We moved in what you might call one fell swoop. There was no dissent; all elected and appointed officials followed. That shows a unified resolve and agreement with the Governor’s leadership,” he stated.

    He added that the defection had brought about a more peaceful political environment in Delta State and had enhanced governance and development delivery.

    “Our people now see that the decision to align with the centre was the right one. We are already attracting greater collaboration with the Federal Government and reaping the dividends in sectors like works, housing, health, and human capital development,” Aniagwu said.

    He further said the Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration is fostering unity and strengthening social cohesion across the state through inclusive governance, prudent resource management, and people-centered development initiatives.

    He stated: “Governor Oborevwori is not just building roads and bridges; he is building trust and uniting the people of Delta State through purposeful governance. 

    “From Warri to Agbor, from Asaba to Oleh, every zone is feeling the impact of government.”

    He explained that under the MORE Agenda, the administration has executed impactful infrastructure projects, prioritised local content in contract awards and empowered communities to take ownership of development.

    Aniagwu emphasided that the even distribution of projects and political appointments had helped douse tensions and fostered a stronger sense of belonging among all Deltans.

    According to him, the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability is evident in its regular publication of project updates and financial disclosures, which reflect an open-door governance policy.

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    He also hinted at ongoing efforts to build international partnerships, affirming Delta’s growing importance on the national stage.

    “We believe Delta has evolved into a critical player in the Nigerian federation, and as such, we are expanding our reach for international collaborations to further enrich our development plans,” he added.

    Aniagwu further praised Governor Oborevwori’s ability to manage the state’s diverse political and ethnic interests, even in the face of opposition narratives.

    “Even when you are fair and inclusive, there will always be individuals who try to distort reality to serve their political interests. That is expected in politics. But the truth is, we are united, peaceful, and moving forward,” he stressed.

    He urged all Deltans to continue supporting the Governor’s vision for a stronger, united, and more prosperous Delta, noting that sustained unity is crucial for the state’s long-term development.

  • Angry youths barricade Delta Govt House over blackout

    Angry youths barricade Delta Govt House over blackout

    Angry youths from the Okpanam community in the Oshimili North Local Government Area on Wednesday barricaded the entrance to the Delta State Government House in Asaba on Wednesday, protesting prolonged power outages and alleged exploitation by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

    The demonstrators carried placards with messages such as “BEDC, Stop Ridiculing Us—We Pay Bills, Give Us Light!”, “We Say No to BEDC Supply Plan to Okpanam!”, “Stop the Exploitation!” and “We Are in Capital Territory but Live as Slaves, Please Help Us!”

    President General of the Okpanam Youth Organization, Mr. Lucky Okolo, linked the worsening state of insecurity and rising crime in the community to the persistent lack of electricity.

    He accused BEDC of deliberately withholding power, slamming residents with inflated estimated bills, and neglecting to upgrade or invest in the community’s electricity infrastructure.

    The protesters issued a list of demands, including a full investigation into BEDC’s operations in Okpanam, restoration of steady power supply within seven days, transparent billing systems, mass deployment of prepaid meters, the creation of a joint oversight task force, and the installation of adequate transformers.

    Addressing the protesters, Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor, Mr. Johnson Erijo, commended the peaceful nature of the protest and assured the group that their grievances had been noted and were being taken seriously by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.

    He said, “We appreciate you coming forward peacefully to raise these concerns. From your placards and your letter, it’s clear that you are not just angry—you are informed, organized, and determined. And this government shares in your pain.”

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    He admitted that the blackout had created serious security risks, including increased criminal activity, and confirmed that the lack of street lighting was contributing to a surge in kidnapping and violence across Okpanam.

    He also praised the community for offering to partner with the government in tackling insecurity.

    Erijo said the state is on the verge of finalizing a legislative framework to enable energy sector reform, taking advantage of the recent liberalization of the power sector under President Bola Tinubu.

    He added that once implemented, the new framework would attract independent investors and end the monopoly of inefficient distribution companies.

    “Even here in Government House, we face the same issues—you’re not alone. But your Governor is proactive. We’re almost at the final stage of enabling a framework that will allow for sustainable and accountable energy solutions across the state.”

  • Delta Govt redeems pledge ofN2.5m to family of dead teacher

    Delta Govt redeems pledge ofN2.5m to family of dead teacher

    The Delta State Government has redeemed a pledge of N2.5 million to the family of a deceased teacher, Mr Sunday Ufah, after he slumped and died during an altercation.

    It also awarded scholarships to the four children left behind by the deceased.

    The late Ufah was a popular physics and chemistry teacher at Alihame Mixed Secondary School, Alihame, Ika South LGA, Delta state.

    The gesture by the state government comes a year after Mr. Ufah died tragically in school.

    It would be recalled that Mr. Ufah died during an altercation with a parent identified as Mr. Nweke on the 18th of October, 2023, after the former reportedly punished his (Mr. Nweke) son and others for allegedly stealing palm wine in a farm near the school.

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    Presenting the cheque to the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Christiana Ufah, the State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu said the gesture was designed to show government’s support to the family, describing the incident that led to the death of the teacher as quite unfortunate.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Augustine Oghoro said shortly after the death of the teacher Governor Sheriff Oborevwori directed the Ministry to immediately pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.

    Delta State Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Dan Basime praised Governor Oborevwori for his magnanimity and stressing that the act of kindness to the family of the deceased was commendable.

    Basime stressed the need for the scholarship to be effectively implemented, emphasizing that it was an indication that the state government was ready to provide support for her employees whenever problems occurred.

    He described the initiative as a morale booster to those that were still in service and encouragement for them to continue to put in their best.

  • ‘Why Delta govt lacks power to create rival motorcycle unions’

    ‘Why Delta govt lacks power to create rival motorcycle unions’

    National body of Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN), affiliate body of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has rejected move by Delta State to create a rival union, known as Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA).

     The government, in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, on Saturday noted COMTOA had been given approval to coordinate and supervise activities of motorcycle and tricycle operators.

     The SSG said COMTOA will manage and collect levies from motorcycle and tricycle riders from today.

     MOUN President, Julius Bobi, called on security authorities to call the government to order, to avoid a situation where anarchy would be created in the state.

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     “The law is at our bosom and we shouldn’t allow the SSG to breach it, if not our members will confront them and we shall be protected by Section 24 of the Trade Unions Act. So, we’re soliciting that he should be called to order before there’s breakdown of law and  order”

     Bobi maintained that the issue had been settled in MOUN’s favour in the High Court at Udu Judicial division, Delta State, when Justice C. E. Achilefu  ruled, among others “that the defendants are restrained from collecting passengers welfare scheme levies and motorcycle and tricycle taxes in Delta State, as same contravenes Part II of the Schedule to the Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Act, 2004 (as amended)…”

     He condemned the new move, saying: “That’s an impunity and illegality taken too far by Delta State. We’re commencing operations on Monday to counter them,” Bobi said.

     Bobi cited another judgment where Justice Nelson Ogbuanya of National Industrial Court (NIC), Port Harcourt Division, held that Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), by extant laws, lacks the power to register organisations under Incorporated Trustee, which has aims and objectives of a Trade Union.

     He wondered where the government was deriving its power to create a rival motorcycle union in the state.

  • Groups, Delta govt deepen campaign against TB

    As part of efforts to combat the spread of tuberculosis (TB), in society, a group, Agbami Co-Ventures, in partnership with Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) and the Delta state government, has intensified its sensitisation programme across three council areas in the state.

    The campaign, which aims to educate as well as care for persons suffering from the ailment, started in October last year and was scheduled in Warri South, Warri North and Ethiope East local government areas of Delta State.

    Speaking during the exercise in Warri, Thursday, the WRAPA coordinator, Mrs. Edna Ohunayo, explained that “the project which started in October 2018 is to educate and sensitise the general public on prevention, care and control of Tuberculosis”.

    She stated that the campaign also included training of care providers, peer educators community vanguards and advocacy visits to major stakeholders and also, community outreach programmes and rallies in the selected council areas.

    The state Tuberculosis and Leprosy Coordinator, Dr. Alex Akpodiete had in December 2018, raised an alarm that about 12,000 cases of the disease are likely to occur yearly in Delta state alone.

    Akpodiete stated this during a Tuberculosis Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation Flag-Off Programme, adding that there is a possibility that two out of every family of six in Nigeria, would have the infection.

     

  • Governor urges non-indigenes to partner Delta govt

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has called on non-indigenes  to partner his administration to sustain peace for development to thrive.

    Okowa spoke yesterday in Asaba when the leadership of Arewa community visited as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

    The governor was represented on the occasion by Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Festus Agas.

    He told the community that his administration would continue to carry them along as stakeholders in development of the state and urged them to be patriotic.

    Okowa noted that Delta has been peaceful when compared with some other states, and thanked the group for its love, understanding and loyalty.

    Leader of the group Alhaji Muktar Usman described the governor as a detribalised Nigerian, and assured him of its continued support.

    Usman, who is the special adviser to the governor on Non-Indigene Affairs, thanked Okowa for his usual support and encouragement to the community.