As Delta State Government navigates into the mainstream of the second year of governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s first tenure, political communication Strategist, and Director General of Delta State Orientation and Communications Bureau, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe Esq, has assured that the governor will continue to spring pleasant surprises.
Dr Oghenesivbe, gave the assurance in a statement on Sunday, saying that the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State, lack moral and legal justification to fault the positive, and timely steps taken by governor Oborevwori, to comply with the new minimum wage payment.
Oghenesivbe, disclosed that the salary and wages bills of Delta State is huge, compared to some states in Nigeria, and coupled with the wide range of socioeconomic and infrastructural development programmes currently embarked upon by Oborevwori administration.
He noted that payment of minimum wage as approved by the federal government should be rightly considered as an integral part of economic reforms by the APC government at the centre, requiring subnational governments to comply, so as to improve the living condition of workers, and not premised on competition or showmanship as portrayed by Delta APC’s media propaganda.
“Governor Oborevwori is focused, and very strategic in decision making, as well as in appointments, socioeconomic and infrastructure development across the 25 local government areas of the state.
“Governor Oborevwori has empowered more farmers, youths, women and artisans than any state in Nigeria. It is a statement of fact which Delta APC cannot disproof. Delta is making waves, and waxing strong.
“We expected the major opposition party, the APC, to commend governor Oborevwori, but alas, they goofed and remain muted about the multifaceted spread of dividends of democracy in the state.
“The prompt approval of minimum wage payment by the governor cannot be faulted, and the amount approved resonates with economic realities, considering the state huge salary and wage bill.
“Therefore, Delta is not, and will never be in competition with any other state in terms of minimum wage payment, because her wage bill is huge, and in billions of Naira, but there is room for improvement in the future, subject to availability of funds.
“The ongoing implementation of governor Oborevwori’s MORE agenda is already springing pleasant surprises. So much work to be done, and at the end of the first tenure, his performance will speak at the polls, not the media propaganda of opposition parties or the divisive strategies of political detractors.
“My candid advise to Delta APC leaders is that they must of a necessity work closely with the federal government to solve the vexed issues of economic hardship in Nigeria, and the hyper inflation causing unbearable financial stress and extreme poverty,” Oghenesivbe said.