Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged local government chairmen and councillors across the state to leverage the opportunities offered by financial autonomy to deliver sustainable grassroots development, enhance security, and improve service delivery.
Speaking on Wednesday in Asaba at the 2025 Delta State Councillors’ Forum Symposium themed “Repositioning the Grassroots: Strengthening Local Governance for Sustainable Development in Nigeria in the Wake of Local Government Autonomy,” the Governor described the initiative as “a timely and consequential dialogue at this defining moment of Nigeria’s democracy.”
Oborevwori hailed the Supreme Court’s recent judgment granting full financial autonomy to local governments, noting that it removed every excuse for non-performance.
“With this autonomy, development at the grassroots must now be enhanced and unhindered by political interference or administrative bottlenecks.
Chairmen and councillors must deliver on their mandate without excuses,” he declared.
While commending councillors for their dedication and projects already commissioned across Delta, the Governor challenged them to do more in addressing poverty, unemployment, waste management, and environmental challenges.
On security, he emphasized that safety must begin at the grassroots.
“If councillors and chairmen work closely, they will gather intelligence that will help security agencies respond effectively. Councils must be proactive, not reactive,” he stressed.
The Governor also announced that his administration will resume statewide town hall meetings in 2026 to engage citizens directly on government activities and plans.
Addressing councillors’ welfare, Oborevwori explained that adjustments to salaries followed Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) regulations after Auditor-General queries, not arbitrary cuts.
He, however, highlighted improvements such as severance benefits now payable in installments before tenure expiration.
On constituency projects, he directed council chairmen to carry councillors along in planning and execution to ensure ward-based initiatives reflect true representation.
He further urged councils to adopt civility in tax collection by deploying properly trained personnel.
Declaring the symposium open, the Governor reminded councillors of their constitutional responsibilities:
“Councilorship is about service, sacrifice, and accountability. It is the bridge between government and the people. This symposium must mark a turning point for grassroots governance in Delta State.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the Delta State Councillors’ Forum and Leader of Warri South-West Legislative Arm, Mr. Samuel Ekpemupolo, described the symposium as “the voice of the grassroots,” stressing that autonomy must translate into accountability and visible impact in communities.
He called on the State Government and the House of Assembly to align local laws with the Supreme Court ruling on four-year tenures for local councils and urged dignified recognition of councillors as lawmakers at the grassroots, lamenting that councilorship was often treated as “a mere empowerment scheme.”
The event featured keynote addresses by the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, alongside development experts.
It was attended by political leaders, lawmakers, board members, and representatives of partner organisations.
