The Delta State Government has said the completion of a 110-office complex and access road at the Oshimili South Local Government Council Secretariat in Asaba will strengthen grassroots administration and improve the delivery of public services.
The Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, stated this on Thursday while commissioning the projects on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Onyeme said providing better working facilities for council employees and other government officials would improve their working conditions and productivity.
He said the projects were also in line with the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda, particularly its focus on meaningful development and realistic reforms.
According to him, the new access road would make it easier for workers, residents and visitors to reach the council secretariat while improving connectivity within the area.
The deputy governor described Oshimili South as an important administrative and commercial centre and said Asaba would remain a major focus of the state government’s urban renewal programme.
He commended the council leadership, contractors and engineers for completing the projects.
Onyeme also attributed the improved capacity of local governments to execute development projects partly to Federal Government policies under President Bola Tinubu, which he said had strengthened their finances.
He urged workers and other users of the complex to protect the facilities against vandalism and ensure proper maintenance.
The deputy governor assured residents that the state government would continue to execute development projects across Delta’s 25 local government areas.
Obi: Poor offices prompted new complex
The Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon. Ezenyili Kelvin Obi, said the new complex was built in response to the poor condition of offices previously used by council workers, civil servants and federal government agencies.
Obi said the situation had affected workers’ morale and productivity and made it necessary to provide a more suitable working environment.
He said the new complex has about 110 offices and would accommodate council workers and officials of several federal agencies.
The agencies include the National Youth Service Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and National Orientation Agency.
The facility also has a marriage registry and emergency response arrangements, while security measures have been introduced to protect workers and visitors, he said.
Obi said the new access road would improve movement into the secretariat and make the facility more accessible to residents.
The chairman also listed other projects executed by his administration, including an event centre, the Oshimili South modern market at Cable Point, a local government plaza, a 150KVA generator for the secretariat and a 500KVA transformer for residents.
He said the council acquired three acres of land for a cemetery through a public-private partnership.
Other initiatives, according to Obi, include security support through the provision of buses and motorcycles and youth empowerment programmes in digital skills, artificial intelligence, drone operations, photography and film production.
He appealed to residents and users of the facilities to protect them from vandalism.
Obi said the real test of the new complex would be whether it translated into better services for residents.
Elumelu praises Obi
Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and APC candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended Obi for the projects.
Elumelu said the development showed that the council chairman was using available resources to provide infrastructure and improve services at the grassroots.
He also praised President Tinubu for making more resources available to state and local governments, saying this had enabled councils to undertake projects that were previously difficult to execute.
Elumelu said effective governance required capable leadership and adequate resources to turn development plans into reality.
He also commended the Federal Government’s rehabilitation of the Asaba-Onitsha road, saying it would improve transportation and economic activities in the area.
Okowa appeals over Benin-Asaba road
The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by Hon. Pascal Adingwe, commended Obi for the projects.
Okowa described the council chairman as a young leader who had demonstrated commitment to public service.
He, however, appealed to President Tinubu to accelerate the rehabilitation of the Benin-Asaba Expressway, especially sections that have become difficult for motorists.
He commended the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for efforts to address the condition of the road and expressed hope that the Federal Government would sustain the intervention.
Okowa also urged residents to support the Federal Government, Delta State Government and APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
Asagba backs grassroots development
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, congratulated Obi and described the projects as an example of how local governments could bring development closer to the people.
Azinge said the projects were consistent with the objectives of the 1976 local government reforms, which sought to strengthen grassroots administration.
He commended Obi for naming the complex after Governor Oborevwori, saying the gesture recognised the governor’s contribution to the development of Delta State.
The monarch also said the presence of federal agencies in the complex could help solve some of their accommodation challenges in Asaba.
Azinge welcomed the Federal Government’s intervention on the Benin-Asaba road and urged residents to support efforts to rehabilitate the highway.
The commissioning attracted government officials, political leaders, traditional rulers, council officials, community leaders and residents, who described the projects as a boost to grassroots administration in Oshimili South.
