The Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, has strongly rebutted recent remarks made by Chief Wilson Omene, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Council, describing his criticisms of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s infrastructural initiatives as misleading, narrow-minded, and lacking in depth.
Chief Omene had, dismissed the ongoing flyover projects in Warri and Effurun, alleging they were economically unconnected and a misplacement of priorities. He also questioned the Governor’s recent decision to align with the APC at the federal level.
Responding in a statement on Saturday, Sir Ahon defended the projects as strategic interventions that are critical to resolving decades-long traffic congestion and stimulating economic activity in two of Delta’s most vital commercial corridors.
“The flyovers, road expansions, and slip road interchanges currently under construction in Warri and Effurun are not cosmetic. They are purpose-driven investments aimed at improving urban mobility, enhancing the ease of doing business, and positioning the cities for sustained economic growth,” Ahon stated.
He further emphasized the significance of the Warri-Effurun axis, describing it as a gateway to the state’s industrial base, linking ports, logistics hubs, and the wider hinterland.
“Only someone disconnected from contemporary urban development thinking would dismiss the relevance of such infrastructure. These projects are not just physical structures, they are enablers of commerce and progress,” Ahon added.
Addressing Omene’s suggestion that funds should have been diverted to establish industries in Delta Central, Ahon noted that such a view is parochial and unreflective of the Governor’s statewide mandate.
“Governor Oborevwori is leading a united Delta State, not a sectional government. The MORE Agenda, Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security, is being implemented across Delta North, Delta Central, and Delta South. No region is excluded,” he emphasized.
On the Governor’s move to the APC, Ahon explained that it was a strategic realignment informed by extensive consultations with political stakeholders, community leaders, and party faithful across the state.
“The Governor’s decision to align with the APC was not for personal gain, but a calculated step to enhance Delta State’s partnership with the Federal Government and unlock greater development opportunities for all Deltans,” he said.
He accused Chief Omene of playing politics with critical governance decisions and urged him and others to embrace constructive engagement over divisive rhetoric.
“We welcome criticism, but it must be constructive, fact-based, and guided by a genuine interest in the growth of Delta State. Personal or sectional political interests must not stand in the way of progress,” Ahon concluded.
He reaffirmed the Oborevwori administration’s unwavering commitment to inclusive governance, infrastructure renewal, youth empowerment, and sustainable development across the state.
