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Governance Index

Delta Community Cries Out After Two Years In Darkness, Accuses Authorities Of Neglect

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(DDM) – Residents of Edukuwo community in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed for urgent government intervention following a two-year power outage that has crippled economic activities and disrupted daily life.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) learned that the prolonged blackout was caused by a faulty transformer that has yet to be repaired or replaced despite several complaints and appeals from the community to relevant authorities.

Community elder, Prince Sammy Ebelekoro, who spoke on behalf of the residents, lamented that the situation has pushed many small businesses into collapse, forcing artisans, traders, and shop owners to rely on costly generators or close down completely.

According to him, the absence of electricity has led to severe hardship, especially for students, barbers, welders, and women involved in perishable goods trading.

Ebelekoro noted that the community had written multiple letters to the Delta State Ministry of Energy, the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and the Warri South Local Government Council, but none of the agencies had responded effectively.

He expressed disappointment that a community located within the oil-rich Warri axis could remain in darkness for such a long period, describing it as “a painful sign of neglect.”

He urged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the Delta State Government to intervene immediately, saying that the restoration of power is not just a matter of comfort but one of survival and economic revival.

Residents who spoke to DDM recounted how the blackout has forced several youths to migrate to neighboring areas in search of jobs, while others resort to unsafe energy sources to power their homes and businesses.

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They also complained that the lack of electricity has worsened insecurity in the area, with night-time activities now limited due to fear of attacks and theft.

Local business owners say the price of petrol for generators has further compounded their suffering amid Nigeria’s ongoing fuel price hikes.

Community leaders accused BEDC of abandoning its responsibility, adding that officials only visit when residents are expected to pay bills despite receiving no supply for months.

“The transformer serving us got burnt two years ago, and since then, we have been in total darkness,” one resident told DDM. “We have contributed money several times to fix it, but the efforts failed because the damage was beyond repair.”

They called on the state government to provide a new transformer or facilitate the replacement through its rural electrification programme, stressing that the community’s patience has reached a breaking point.

The situation in Edukuwo mirrors a broader crisis across many Delta communities where aging transformers, vandalized power lines, and weak infrastructure continue to hamper access to electricity.

Analysts note that Delta, despite its rich oil revenue and industrial potential, still struggles with rural power supply challenges that hinder development and local enterprise growth.

As residents await government action, frustration continues to mount, with calls for Governor Oborevwori to ensure the community’s plight receives urgent attention under his administration’s MORE Agenda for social equity and infrastructure renewal.

Until power is restored, Edukuwo remains a symbol of how neglect and bureaucracy can plunge even resource-rich regions into darkness, literally and economically.

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Governance Index

Ned Nwoko Boasts Of 34 Transformative Bills, Pushes For Anioma State, Diaspora Voting Rights

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(DDM) – Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has released a detailed account of his two-year legislative journey, proudly listing 34 transformative Bills he has personally sponsored at the National Assembly.

According to Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the senator made the revelation through a public statement shared on his social media handle, where he highlighted his commitment to “people-centered governance, economic reform, youth empowerment, institutional strengthening, and equitable development.”

Nwoko said the Bills reflect his dedication to building a “stronger, fairer, and more prosperous Nigeria,” adding that his proposals address both national challenges and specific needs of his Delta North constituency.

Among his landmark legislative efforts is the Constitutional Alteration for the Creation of Anioma State, a proposal that seeks to correct Nigeria’s geopolitical imbalance and grant Delta North a distinct state identity within the federation.

He also introduced the Diaspora Voting Bill, aimed at granting Nigerians abroad the right to vote through secure embassy-based and electronic systems, a move that could redefine electoral inclusiveness for millions contributing to Nigeria’s economy from overseas.

Other notable Bills include the Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurship Grant Program, designed to provide seed funding and mentorship for young entrepreneurs; the National Ranching Development and Management Bill, to replace open grazing with structured ranching; and the Cashless Asset Acquisition Act, which seeks to combat illicit financial flows through traceable, cashless property transactions.

Nwoko further proposed the Parliamentary Governance System Act, which advocates a shift from the current presidential system to a parliamentary model, a controversial yet bold move he believes will enhance accountability and reduce governance costs.

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His legislative portfolio also includes sector-specific reforms such as the Federal College of Agriculture (Establishment) Bill – Idumuje-Ugboko, Upgrade of Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic to a Federal University of Technology, and the Establishment of a National Orthopedic Hospital in Onicha-Ugbo, all tailored to boost education, healthcare, and local development in Delta North.

In addition, he introduced Bills on mandatory military service for youths, anti-corruption in professional indemnity systems, restrictions on daytime movement of heavy-duty vehicles, and visa-free entry for African Union passport holders, all of which align with his vision of modernizing governance, improving safety, and deepening African integration.

DDM notes that Senator Nwoko’s advocacy for transparency, youth inclusion, and institutional reform has sparked widespread reactions online.

Supporters praised his productivity, describing him as one of the most active lawmakers in the current Senate.

However, critics argue that the true measure of legislative success lies not in the number of Bills sponsored but in the number passed and implemented effectively.

Some opposition figures questioned whether several of his proposals, particularly those touching constitutional reform and system change, would survive Nigeria’s deeply entrenched political resistance.

Political analysts told DDM that if even half of Nwoko’s 34 Bills become law, his tenure could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s legislative history.

They observed that his Anioma State creation Bill, if successful, could alter Nigeria’s geopolitical map for the first time in decades.

Senator Nwoko, who previously served as a member of the House of Representatives, emphasized that his goal is not just to legislate but to “institutionalize fairness, strengthen democracy, and promote unity.”

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“As a proud representative of Delta North,” he wrote, “my mission remains clear, to ensure that governance works for the people, institutions serve with integrity, and every Nigerian feels the impact of effective representation.”

 

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Governance Index

Gov Sheriff Oborevwori Turns Delta Into Construction Site — Dino Melaye

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The governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori
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(DDM) – Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has praised Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, describing him as a “working governor” who has transformed the state into a massive construction site.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Melaye made the remark on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, where he lauded Oborevwori’s performance and commitment to people-oriented projects.

Posting photos from his recent visit, Melaye wrote:

“I was waoooed in Delta State. My respect to the Governor and people of Delta State. The entire state is a construction site. People-oriented projects everywhere across the state. Bravo. Delta is working, Governor Sheriff, Idigwa 4 U.”

According to Melaye, what he witnessed in Delta underscores a visible transformation agenda that focuses on infrastructure renewal, road expansion, and community development across the state’s three senatorial zones.

He said Governor Oborevwori’s initiatives have created jobs, boosted local economies, and inspired public confidence in government performance.

DDM recalls that earlier in 2025, Oborevwori and several members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the National Assembly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The defection, which also included former Delta governor and ex-PDP vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, marked a major political realignment in Delta politics and the broader South-South region.

Since joining the APC, Oborevwori has accelerated his MORE Agenda, focusing on Meaningful development, Opportunities for all, Realistic reforms, and Enhanced peace and security.

Under his leadership, Delta has embarked on massive road construction, urban renewal projects, housing development, and youth empowerment programs aimed at modernizing infrastructure and reducing unemployment.

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Observers say Melaye’s public endorsement further strengthens Oborevwori’s political credibility within the ruling party and could position Delta as a model of infrastructural governance under APC’s Southern leadership.

Residents who spoke to DDM in Asaba and Warri expressed mixed reactions, while some praised the ongoing development, others urged the governor to extend the projects to rural areas where infrastructural decay remains severe.

Melaye’s comments have since gone viral on social media, drawing attention to what many describe as the “new face of Delta State” under Oborevwori’s administration.

Political analysts say the praise from Dino Melaye, once a vocal critic of APC, highlights a new wave of bipartisan acknowledgment of performance-based governance in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.

 

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Governance Index

Oborevwori’s ₦21.3bn Road Flag-Off Sparks Debate Over Priorities Amid Delta’s Infrastructure Gaps

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(DDM) – Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has flagged off the ₦21.3 billion Ugbolu–Okpanam Road project in Oshimili North Local Government Area, describing it as a key step toward improving connectivity, agriculture, and commerce within the state.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the 12-kilometre dual carriageway project, handled by Levant Construction Limited, is expected to link several agrarian and growing urban communities, including Ugbolu, Okpanam, Ibusa, and Akwukwu-Igbo.

The governor said the massive investment aligns with his MORE Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure renewal, economic empowerment, and rural development.

According to Oborevwori, the road expansion will not only ease traffic congestion around the Asaba capital territory but also strengthen the agricultural value chain in the Oshimili axis, which supplies food items to major urban markets across Delta.

He noted that the Ugbolu–Okpanam corridor had long been neglected despite its economic significance, adding that his administration’s decision to intervene demonstrates a commitment to equitable development.

The governor stated that the project reflects Delta State’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the targets promoting resilient infrastructure, sustainable cities, and poverty reduction.

He assured the public that the contract had been awarded transparently and that Levant Construction had already received a 40 percent advance payment to ensure speedy mobilization to site.

Oborevwori further pledged that there would be no contract variations or cost adjustments midway, promising close supervision to guarantee value for money.

However, while supporters hail the project as a milestone, critics are questioning the timing, cost, and prioritization of projects within the state’s budget framework.

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Some civil society groups argue that with widespread flooding, poor drainage systems, and unfinished road networks in several local government areas, allocating ₦21.3 billion to a 12km stretch appears excessive.

Economic observers in Asaba told DDM that the state government must publish the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and financial breakdown to assure the public of transparency, given Nigeria’s history of inflated infrastructure contracts.

Others, however, contend that Oborevwori’s decision to focus on the Ugbolu–Okpanam route is strategic, given its potential to decongest Asaba and open up surrounding communities for residential and commercial expansion.

The Ugbolu–Okpanam project is part of a broader network of infrastructural initiatives the governor has launched since assuming office in 2023, including road rehabilitations in Warri, Effurun, and Agbor, as well as the modernization of riverine transportation under the Delta Urban Renewal Scheme.

The new road, according to experts, could also facilitate real estate development and reduce travel time between the Asaba metropolis and adjoining towns, thereby boosting land value and small-scale investments.

As of press time, the contractor has commenced preliminary site clearing and soil stabilization, with full-scale construction expected to begin before the end of the month.

Residents of the area have expressed optimism that the project will end years of hardship caused by erosion and poor accessibility, while others hope it will not become another uncompleted political promise.

The ₦21.3 billion Ugbolu–Okpanam road project, therefore, stands at the intersection of promise and skepticism, a symbol of progress for some and a reminder of misplaced priorities for others, as Deltans continue to watch how Oborevwori’s government balances ambition with accountability.

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