One hundred days is a very short time for any meaningful assessment of governance. But if an administrator hits the ground running from the first day in office, reasonable milestones can be identified within the period.
Prior to his inauguration as Governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori was perceived by a section of the populace as incompetent.
This perception was not unconnected to the tag of ‘street credibility’ attached to him during the campaigns ahead of the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state. “Why would you want to make someone who says he is a street man governor?” those who doubted his capacity to govern the state asked.
But the governor has been able to convince some of the cynics since assuming office on May 29. But many are yet to be convinced.
Incidentally, Oborevwori has promised to take development beyond what exists in the state by doing more for the people through his M.O.R.E agenda.
After taking over the reins of office on May 29, Oborevwori visited Warri South Local Government Area to inspect the multi billion naira storm water drainage project. The visit was meant to be an on-the-spot assessment of the project which is designed to avert flooding in the Warri/Uvwie axis and thereby ensure that the oil rich city returns to its glory days.
Expectedly, residents trooped out to catch a glimpse of their governor. Residents of First Marine Gate, one of the communities in the area, used the opportunity of the governor’s visit to inform him of their challenges, especially how they had lived in perennial darkness for years as a result of a faulty transformer.
Moved by their pleas, the governor instantly ordered that the faulty transformer be replaced, a pledge which was fulfilled within a week. A 500KVA transformer was delivered to the community by Warri South LGA chairman, Dr. Michael Tidi.
Receiving the transformer, the chairman of the community, Mr. Omoefe Agaga, thanked the governor for the kind gesture, promising to protect the transformer from vandals.
The recent escalation of hostilities between Aladja community in Udu LGA and Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri South West LGA may have come as a surprise to many.
This was especially because the two communities signed a peace pact not long ago. Oborevwori deployed mediation strategies to resolve the crisis, thereby raising hopes of more enduring peace between the warring communities. He directed the traditional institution to step in, leading to a rapprochement.
As a result, the Orodje of Okpe, His Royal Majesty, King Felix Mujakperuo, Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, summoned monarchs from both Urhobo and Ijaw nations to his palace. The Ovie of Uvwie, Oborevwori’s second homeland after Okpe, HRM Abe 1, Chairman of Urhobo Traditional Rulers Council led other traditional rulers to the meeting. The Ijaw Traditional Rulers Council was led by its chairman, HRM Elder (Capt.) Joseph Timiyan, the Ebenanaowei of Ogulagha kingdom.
In arriving at a resolution, the royal fathers were guided by the governor’s clear message to the communities that were up in arms: “No amount of land is worth dying for because when you fight and kill yourselves, the land will still remain”.
Ultimately, it is hoped that lasting peace has been restored following the royal intervention as directed by the governor.
To address perennial flooding challenges in the state, Oborevwori constituted a 14-man 2023 Flood Disaster Management Committee. Inaugurating the Committee, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu, charged members to sensitise citizens of the state, especially those living in coastal communities, of the need to move to higher grounds.
Speaking during the inaugural meeting, Emu charged the members of the committee to be diligent with the assignment as a lot depended on ensuring that flood victims are adequately catered for.
The SSG also stated that jingles should be aired on broadcast stations with a view to enlightening the public on the need to take precaution by moving out from flood prone areas to avoid being caught-up by the impending flood.
The SSG also spoke of plans to set up camps in the flood-hit areas of the State to accommodate those who may be affected by the impending flood.
But not everybody is impressed with the governor’s efforts, so far.
The South-South Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, noted that even after the Federal Government allocated N5 billion to Delta State for palliatives, no relief material has been distributed in the state.
“In Delta State have you seen anything that is being showcased as palliative? Where is it being distributed?”, Ezeagwu asked.
The SSG, Emu, however explained that to ameliorate the suffering of citizens following the removal of petrol subsidy, the state government has commenced implementation of various palliative measures.
However, the Labour Party has passed a damning verdict on Oborevwori’s first 100 days in office as Delta State governor.
Ezeagwu, the Chairman of the LP in the South-South, stated that in the Governor’s first 100 days, the State “is lacking the spark of governance”.
Although he agreed that 100 days is not enough to do much, Ezeagwu said the Governor should have addressed transportation challenges in the State by rehabilitating bad roads and providing mass transit buses.
“It would have reduced the high transport cost currently being experienced by the people. That would have been very good,” he said.
Asked to assess Oborevwori’s first 100 days as governor, the LP South-South leader said, “As far as I am concerned, there’s nothing to be excited about because the Governor has done nothing tangible on ground; so there is nothing to show for his administration’s 100 days.”
Ezeagwu added that while the Governor has been visiting different parts of the State, “we have not seen anything tangible in terms of governance”.
He added, “What is on ground is what former governor Ifeanyi Okowa left behind. There’s no new thing. He (Oborevwori) has been visiting places without governance. Visiting is not governance. He should engage himself in actual governance.”
