The Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Hon. Chief Peter Uviejitobor, has provided an overview of his ministry’s 2025 budget after presenting and defending it before the Interministerial Budget Committee. The budget defence took place on Monday, October 21, 2025, at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba, the state capital.
Speaking to journalists after the session, Chief Uviejitobor described the budget defence as a significant step for his ministry. “Today is a special day. We just came out from my first Interministerial budget defence organized by the Ministry of Economic Planning. Today was set aside for budget defence. The budget was satisfactory and it is a budget of hope for my ministry,” he said.
Despite initial budget cuts, he expressed optimism about the final adjustments, stating, “Our envelope was trimmed down, but in the end, it was adjusted a bit, and I know that what was given to us was in line with all the items we spoke about. We are sure there will be an increase in revenue generation and there will be an improvement in youth sensitization and local content. We are sure that by the coming year when this budget is approved, this ministry will improve economically.”
Chief Uviejitobor further elaborated on the budget’s structure, highlighting its focus on four key categories: revenue generation, personnel costs, non-regular overheads, and capital projects. He emphasized that the budget reflects a “budget of hope” and “actualization,” aiming to ensure full implementation in 2025.
“This budget that we are talking about today is ongoing, which is why it is called a proposed budget,” he explained. “At this point, it is a proposed budget, and at the House of Assembly, it is also a proposed budget. It is after the House Assembly that it becomes a budget waiting for assets. I know the budget is ongoing, and figures can still be altered because they can be increased or decreased. Before, I was a member of the House of Assembly, but now I am working in the Executive; I think our figures might not be reduced because the budget is perfected, and it is a budget of hope.”
When questioned about the ministry’s role in ensuring that oil companies within Delta State fulfill their corporate social responsibilities to communities, Chief Uviejitobor highlighted the ministry’s efforts to mediate between the oil industry and the affected communities.
“Basically, our responsibility in the Ministry of Oil and Gas is to mediate between the oil industry and communities where they carry out operations. We have done that since I came, and we have done it selflessly with so many companies and communities,” he stated. “We have settled a series of cases with Seplat and many other oil companies before me, and we are successful in our responsibilities. In many cases, when we carry out mediations, we conclude with success.”
Chief Uviejitobor’s remarks underscore the ministry’s commitment to addressing issues between oil companies and local communities while ensuring the successful implementation of its budget proposals for 2025.
