ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting vulnerable citizens through its robust social protection programs, designed to ease the burden of harsh economic conditions for Deltans on the lower rungs of the economic ladder. Speaking in an exclusive interview at his office in Asaba, Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, disclosed that more than 247,000 residents have benefited from the state’s flagship intervention program, D-CARES (Delta Community Action for Resilience and Stimulus), a World Bank initiative.
The D-CARES program has delivered crucial support through various platforms, including Direct Cash Transfers, Livelihood Support, the FADAMA project, Public Works, and Micro-Community projects. These initiatives have reached the remotest areas of the state, where government presence was previously limited due to financial constraints. Over the past 18 months, the Oborevwori administration has ensured that these interventions are available to citizens who would otherwise have been left out of government support.
As the “first clearinghouse” for the state’s expenditure, Ekedayen emphasized the vital role of the Ministry of Economic Planning in overseeing the budget and implementing the government’s broader objectives, as outlined in the MORE Agenda of the current administration. “We are the engine room of the state’s financial activities,” he said, stressing the importance of fiscal discipline, transparency, and value for money in delivering public services.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s governance philosophy, according to Ekedayen, focuses on a people-centered approach, ensuring that state resources are used efficiently to benefit citizens. “From day one, the governor resolved that we must live within our means and manage resources for the good of the people,” he added.
The state government has also worked strategically to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) without introducing new taxes. At the start of the Oborevwori administration in 2023, projected IGR stood at N83 billion, with expectations to reach N165 billion by the end of the current year. Ekedayen credited the Delta State Internal Revenue Service for its ingenuity and consistent performance in increasing the state’s IGR.
In line with its commitment to food security, the Delta Government is investing heavily in agriculture, with the goal of boosting food production and creating jobs. “Food security and job creation are at the heart of the government’s strategy,” Ekedayen explained. He also highlighted various empowerment programs, such as the MORE Grant, Gender-Centered Empowerment Initiative, and MORE Biz-Up, which provide citizens with financial support, inputs, and capacity-building opportunities.
Ekedayen noted that many of the beneficiaries of these programs have successfully transitioned from poverty to self-sustainability, reflecting the success of the government’s approach. As the Oborevwori administration approaches its second anniversary on May 29, the commissioner assured that the government will continue to fulfill its promises, ensuring that the people of Delta State benefit from sustained efforts to improve their livelihoods.
Source: Delta State Ministry of Information News Bulletin
