Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration in Delta State has been lauded for its prudent fiscal management and visionary leadership, marked by a bold policy to avoid new borrowing since assuming office on May 29, 2023.
In a public statement issued by Delta Fresh Vision, the group described the governor’s no-borrowing stance as a “testament to fiscal discipline, prudence and visionary leadership.” The statement revealed that despite inheriting a staggering N465 billion debt burden, Governor Oborevwori’s government has successfully slashed the figure to N199.6 billion as of May 2025 — a 54% reduction in under two years.
Rather than resorting to fresh loans, the state government has relied on internally generated revenue (IGR) and allocations from the Federation Account to fund capital and recurrent expenditures. Strategic measures such as 20–40% upfront project mobilization have helped cushion inflationary pressures, eliminate interest costs from bank loans, and encourage timely project delivery.
The impact of the policy has been felt across key sectors. Infrastructure projects including road upgrades, hospital development, vocational training centers, and social welfare initiatives such as bursaries and empowerment programs for women, youths, artisans, and persons with disabilities are now fully funded and actively maintained.
According to the group, Governor Oborevwori’s financial strategy has established key governance benchmarks, including:
- Self-reliance over debt dependency
- Fiscal responsibility through value-for-money spending
- Integrity in public finance management
- Citizens-first governance through social investment
Governor Oborevwori’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. He was named ThisDay Newspaper/Arise Television Governor of the Year 2024 for his fiscal discipline and infrastructural achievements. Additionally, Delta State was ranked second nationally in budget implementation by AGORA Policy, with a score of 97.9%, just behind Yobe State.
“Governor Oborevwori deserves commendation and support to continue delivering for the people of Delta State,” said Wilberforce Arinze, Acting Chairman of Delta Fresh Vision, in the statement co-signed by the group’s PRO, Grace Akaighe. “If he’s doing this well in his first term, imagine what he can achieve in a second.”
The group urged future administrations to emulate the governor’s fiscal restraint and citizen-focused leadership, calling his no-borrowing policy a blueprint for sustainable state development.
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