ASABA/Nigeria: The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has described the state’s whistle-blowing policy as a transformative tool for deepening transparency, accountability, and value-for-money governance under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Speaking on Niger Delta Today on Advocate Broadcasting Network (ADBN) on Friday, Ifeajika said the initiative empowers citizens to actively monitor public projects and report lapses directly to the government through dedicated communication channels.
He explained that the whistle-blowing mechanism was conceived as part of Governor Oborevwori’s vision to ensure that every naira spent on public infrastructure translates into tangible benefits for Deltans. According to him, the policy is a natural extension of the governor’s inspection culture, designed to sustain project quality and prevent waste.
“The essence of whistle-blowing is to make sure citizens get value for the money government spends on their behalf,” Ifeajika said. “These projects are sited in communities for the people. The governor cannot be everywhere, nor can commissioners or officials. So, the people themselves have become part of the inspection process.”
He noted that since the policy’s introduction, contractor compliance levels have significantly improved, as many now adopt stricter quality control measures due to heightened community oversight. “Even the contractors are now cautious; they don’t know who among the residents may report irregularities. Everyone wants to do better — it’s now a healthy competition to deliver quality projects,” he stated.
Ifeajika assured Deltans that the government has established strong confidentiality safeguards to protect whistle-blowers from any form of victimization or witch-hunt. “No one will be punished for offering developmental information,” he emphasized, adding that “this is public ownership. The infrastructure belongs to all Deltans, not to the governor or the commissioner. Everyone is a stakeholder.”
He further explained that reports received through the whistle-blowing channels are immediately verified before any action is taken. The system, he said, focuses on visible infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and other public utilities, and also extends to the public service, where officers are encouraged to expose corruption or administrative misconduct.
According to Ifeajika, several engineers and supervising officials have already been sanctioned for negligence or complicity in substandard work, as the state government maintains a zero-tolerance policy for poor performance. “Some government officials have been reprimanded for looking the other way,” he disclosed. “The whole idea is to ensure that public funds yield durable infrastructure and that we don’t keep revisiting the same projects.”
He added that the success of the policy has made it one of the most widely accepted governance innovations in Delta State, with residents embracing it as part of their civic duty. “Our style in Delta is different,” he said. “We’ve turned governance into a collective enterprise. When people see that their input is respected, they become more interested in protecting public assets.”
Ifeajika expressed confidence that the whistle-blowing policy will outlive the present administration, given its effectiveness and acceptance across the state. “This is one good legacy that will endure. Future administrations will continue with it because it works. It’s not about politics, it’s about accountability, good governance, and ensuring Delta remains on the path of progress,” he affirmed.
He concluded by commending Governor Oborevwori for pioneering a participatory governance model that places citizens at the heart of development monitoring, ensuring transparency from project conception to completion.
