Delta State has not engaged in any borrowing arrangement of any kind, be it through partnerships, individuals, corporations, banks, or institutions at the local, national, or international level, the State Commissioner for Finance, Sir. Fidelis Tilije, has said.
He stressed that the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has not borrowed a single dime since assumption of office in May 29, 2023.
Addressing journalists on Friday January 24, 2025, in Asaba, the State Capital, the Commissioner of Finance, said “since the inception of this administration led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, this state has not entered into any borrowing relationship whatsoever.
Flanked by his counterpart in the Ministry of Works (Rural and Riverine) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, he said:
“Whether partnership, individual, corporate, bank, local, national or international, we have not borrowed a dime since this administration took effect on 29 of May 2023.
“And I keep stating categorically in any fora I found myself that Delta state remains in terms of financial terms the strongest financial state standing in this country and I say so with every emphasis because I know the finances of the state.
“And I say that we are clearly the strongest financial state in Nigeria, and I can stand this debate at any point in time, because I know the balances as I speak to you today.
“I know the efforts that have been made by this administration and have continued with the administration’s effort of Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, we stand categorically heads up to state that this administration has not borrowed a dime since 29th of May 2023.
“I do know that this is actually sponsored and I can say so categorically because of the award that His Excellency , Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, will actually be bestowed on him on Monday 27th.
“But we have come out here to state categorically that we know what we are doing in Delta states. We have paid so much in terms of contractor obligation. We have ensured that even all debts are been paid down as seriously as we can.
“We have also improved in terms of contractual relationships with our contractors. Before now, it is difficult for us to give advance payments. But as I speak, virtually all the major contracts that have been given by this particular administration have actually offered 30% in terms of advance payment.
“Indeed, the last discussion I had with His Excellency, we are even thinking that for this particular dry season, we are going to pay up to 70%. Because of the inflationary trends in Nigeria, we don’t want to be caught up in it at all.
“We do not want to review any contract whatsoever and we want to take advantage of this dry season to do as much as we can. So our contractors are back to site and the new ones that are given are actually clearly on resumption on site and doing the best that we want them to do.
“I do not need to tell you that we are all visible seeing what this current administration is doing, led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as in terms of creating value for money for Deltans and the Delta State government.
“The inspection that he has carried out has actually given out so much to you and me to be able to understand his effort in trying to ensure that there are value for money in all contracts that are given, in all relationships that have been entered into by this administration.
“I state once again, categorically, as Commissioner for Finance, Delta State, that we have not borrowed any one kobo from any institution whatsoever since 29th of May, 2023.
“And I also state categorically, and I’m willing to stand anywhere to debate it, that we are the strongest state in terms of finance in this country”, Sir. Tilije reiterated.