Approval of N275bn for 76 projects: Oborevwori undermined Itsekiri Nation - Omagbemi

Sapele-based Itsekiri rights’ activist, Comrade Aleoba Omagbemi, has berated the approval of N275billion for 76 projects by the Delta State Executive Council, saying the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, undermined the Itsekiri Nation in the projects’ spread.

Delta State Government, at its maiden Executive Council (EXCO) meeting for 2025, held Thursday February 13, approved over N275 billion for the execution of 76 projects spanning different sectors across the three senatorial districts of the state.

While the state government approved the remodelling of the Warri City Stadium, without a sum attached to it, it earmarked N8bn previously owed on the Trans-Warri Ode-Itsekiri Bridges and Access Roads, “as well as putting the project on the Irrevocable Standing Payment Order, ISPO module.” 

Comrade Omagbemi, who was piqued by the development, asserted in an electronic statement sent to Fresh Angle International, this morning, Friday February 14: “I can't understand the rationale behind a state governor approving such projects, without considering the diversity of ethnic nationalities, especially the Itsekiri ethnic group, which produces the highest quantum of crude oil Delta state.

“I am really perplexed and disappointed and think the governor had undermined the Itsekiri nation.

“I am calling on the state governor to urgently correct the injustice, by approving quality projects for the Itsekiri ethnic nationality, the projects include;

1. Establishment of higher institutions in Itsekiri core community

2. Approval of not less than thirty kilometres of roads, spreading across Warri South, Wari South-West and Warri North Local Government Areas. Examples of such roads urgently begging for the state government attention, are Jakpa to Ogheye to Ugbege in Warri North and Deghele to Bateren.

3. Provision of electricity from Chevron, connecting Tebu to Jakpa, down to Ogheye with turbine or direct from Olero flow station, provision of electricity from Abiteye flow station to Deghele and Bateren as well as portable water supply.

4. Provision of pipe born water from Olero flow station to Tebu, Jakpa, Ogheye, Oboghoro and Ebrohimi.”

He added: “I am using this medium to tell the state governor that before projects are approved in the state executive council, the principle of justice, equity and fairness should be applied.

“I want to appeal to Itsekiri leaders in PDP and APC, to braze up and aggressively start to attract more development to Itsekiri land, because we can't be the goose that lays the golden eggs and continue to suffer underdevelopment.”

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