By Peter Immaculate Ogechukwu
Residents and community leaders in Oghara in Ethiope West Local Government Area Delta State have been urged to seize the opportunity of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s visit to the community to demand concrete action on persistent flooding, poor road infrastructure and public spending.
The call was made by Rev. David Ugolor in a statement he signed as Publisher of The Common Good Letter and made available to journalists ahead of the governor’s scheduled commissioning of the Oghareki Model Technical College. Ugolor said the governor’s visit should go beyond the commissioning ceremony and provide an opportunity for residents to engage the state government on issues affecting their daily lives.
He appealed to the Ovie of Oghara, the Onugbrogodo, traditional chiefs, religious leaders, women and youth representatives to speak on behalf of the people by seeking clear commitments from the government on measures to tackle flooding, rehabilitate roads and improve drainage across the community. According to him, recurrent flooding continues to threaten homes and businesses in Oghara, while poor road conditions and inadequate drainage have worsened the hardship experienced by residents.
He also called for increased investment in the Delta State University Teaching Hospital, urging the state government to unveil a comprehensive development plan for the health facility. Ugolor further raised concerns over the ₦20 million earmarked for flood and erosion control in Oghara in the Delta State 2024 budget.
According to him, the state’s year-end budget performance report indicated that no expenditure was recorded under the budget line, prompting questions about the status of the project. He urged the government to publish relevant records to clarify whether the project was abandoned, postponed or financed through another budget allocation. The civil society advocate also called for greater transparency in the finances of the Ethiope West Local Government Council, urging the council to make public its financial records for 2024 and 2025, including receipts, statutory deductions, contract awards and expenditure.
He further called for an independent investigation into any substantiated allegations of diversion or misuse of public funds, stressing that residents deserve to know how oil derivation revenue and other development funds have been utilised to provide infrastructure and public services in Oghara and other parts of the local government area.
Ugolor also urged the Delta State Government to present a costed implementation plan with clear timelines for addressing flooding, rehabilitating roads, improving drainage systems and supporting the Delta State University Teaching Hospital. While describing the commissioning of the Oghareki Model Technical College as a welcome development, he stressed that the occasion should not overshadow the pressing challenges confronting residents.
Part of the statement reads: “Governor Oborevwori, please listen to the people beyond the ceremony. Let this visit mark the beginning of visible relief, honest accounting and lasting investment in Oghara.”
He urged Governor Oborevwori and the Ethiope West Local Government Council to make specific commitments and provide timelines for addressing the concerns raised, while encouraging community leaders to ensure that the voices of residents affected by flooding and poor infrastructure are heard during the governor’s visit.