A socio-political group, Delta Development Initiative, has urged the governor of Delta State, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to, without further delay, set up a project monitoring team “to ensure judicious utilization of monthly federal allocations accruing to the oil rich state.”

DDI insisted that Governor Oborevwori must act fast and appoint highly trustworthy project monitoring team “to supervise projects that have been assigned.”

The advice was contained in a statement signed by the group’s President, Dr. Majority Orji, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Wednesday.

The group noted with concern that “despite the enormous amount of money given to Delta State on monthly basis, there are very few tangible development achievements in the state.

It stated specifically that “despite the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party has been ruling Delta State since 1999, measuring the success of the PDP in the state would be an exercise in futility, as we are still largely a state rolling in the backwaters of development.”

The statement partly reads, “Governor Oborevwori should begin to make politicians in Delta State realize that there is more to governance than looting of funds.

“He should begin to tell them through his policies that the lives of the people and the development of Delta State count.

“Above all, the time has come to move Delta out of the back waters of development.”

It stated further, “The party’s leadership in Delta State seems to be blind to the pitiable socio-economic situations on ground, or at least it seems that way.

“Our income that is produced internally complements the huge allocation from the centre.

“Rather, we witness an opulent lifestyle among PDP members in Delta. A very negligent live in luxury.

“It seems that funds allocated for specific positions are given to party members only to be wasted.

“The state’s third tier of government is one very regrettable example. One wonders if they ever receive allocations.

“It would be appreciated if the chairmen of local governments in the state could come forward and inform Deltans of the development actions they took with the funds allocated.

“No wonder young people are now joining the party in large numbers. The allure of cheap breakfast is undeniable. To fit in with the party, they invest in godfathers. This is a very bad development since it jeopardizes the state’s future.”

The statement also charged the governor to tell Deltans boldly that the time has come to move Delta out of the back waters of development, harping on strategies that would get the large number of young people without jobs off the streets.

It added, “In the meantime, the Delta State government can start considering how it can revitalize businesses like Bendel Glass in the Ughelli axis, the Mill in Asaba, and the Bendel Steel Structure Company that was formerly situated in Enerhen as well as building new companies.” (Punch)