By Onomiguren Agbamu
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has commissioned a newly completed administrative office complex and access road at the Oshimili South Local Government Council Secretariat in Asaba, saying the projects are important interventions in strengthening grassroots governance and improving service delivery.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Oyeme, at the event, said the projects were consistent with the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, particularly its focus on meaningful development and realistic reforms.
The Governor noted that Asaba, as the state capital and the administrative and commercial hub of Delta State, remained central to the administration’s urban renewal efforts, while Oshimili South occupied a strategic position as a gateway and centre of economic activity.
He said the new office complex was designed to provide a modern and conducive working environment that would enhance administrative efficiency, improve staff productivity and enable residents to access public services in a dignified environment.
He also said the access road would improve movement into the secretariat, reduce traffic bottlenecks and strengthen connectivity within the surrounding community.
He commended the local government council chairman, contractors and engineers involved in the projects for delivering the facilities to standard.
The Governor further expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his policies that had strengthened the financial capacity of local government councils to meet their obligations to workers and execute development projects.
He urged staff who would occupy the new office complex to take ownership of the facility and maintain it responsibly so that it could continue to serve the people of Oshimili South for many years.
The Governor reiterated the state government’s commitment to executing projects across the 25 local government areas of Delta State, including roads, public utility facilities and social infrastructure.
He said, “Today marks another important milestone in our collective efforts to provide infrastructure that directly improves the lives of our people.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council, Hon. (High Chief) Dr. Ezenyili Kelvin Obi, highlighted several initiatives undertaken by his administration, including a digital empowerment programme through which 46 Apple MacBook laptops were presented to interns.
The Council Chairman also disclosed the procurement of two Sienna buses and five motorcycles to support security operations by the Asaba Vigilante.
He said, “The Oko Vigilante had also been inaugurated, with support from community leadership to provide buses and motorcycles for the security initiative.”
He further disclosed that construction of a telecommunications mast in Oko was underway to improve connectivity in the community, with commissioning expected soon.
The council chairman said the initiatives reflected the administration’s commitment to practical and people-oriented governance, stressing that government’s responsibility extended beyond constructing infrastructure to ensuring that facilities were properly maintained and effectively utilised.
He appealed to council personnel, residents and other users of public facilities to protect them against abuse, vandalism and neglect.
The chairman commended members of the Oshimili South Legislative Council, the management and staff of the council, contractors, consultants and other individuals and institutions whose contributions made the projects possible.
He also appreciated traditional rulers, community leaders, political leaders, stakeholders and residents of Oshimili South for their continued support and cooperation.
He charged staff who would work in the new office complex to uphold professionalism, accountability, discipline, integrity and dedication to duty.
He said the facility should become a centre of excellence in public administration where residents would receive efficient, courteous, responsive, accountable and transparent services.
The chairman described the commissioning as another significant milestone in the development of Oshimili South, reaffirming the council’s commitment to projects and programmes aimed at improving livelihoods, strengthening the local economy and positioning the area for sustainable development.
He also acknowledged the contributions and representation of former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, and former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, among other political leaders and stakeholders at the ceremony.
In his goodwill message, the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, congratulated the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Council on the projects, noting that the development of local government administration remained crucial to bringing governance closer to the people.
Azinge recalled that the 1976 Local Government Reform was introduced to strengthen grassroots administration and said the effectiveness of local government could be measured by how close government was to the people.
He observed that considerable progress had been made with local government autonomy, describing the development as an evolution that had been further consolidated through Federal Government policies.
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