By PAULINA NZERUBE

Tinubu Reforms: Aniagwu Says More Money Is Reaching Delta Households

DELTA State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, says the economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration are beginning to stimulate purchasing power and economic activity at the grassroots.

Aniagwu said the benefits of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda were gradually moving from the macroeconomic level to households through interventions by state governments.

He made the remarks on Wednesday at a one-day seminar in Asaba titled, “Harnessing the Gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the MORE Agenda Ahead of 2027.”

From Macro Economy to Households

Aniagwu said improved government finances had given states greater capacity to invest, settle outstanding obligations and support economic activities.

According to him, the impact should not be assessed only through economic statistics.

He said increased public spending was also reaching workers, contractors, artisans, traders and small business owners.

“At the macro level, money has come in,” he said. “The benefits that are coming are now trickling down. What has hit the macro level is now coming to the micro level.”

The commissioner linked the process to the interaction between Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda in Delta.

Salary Payments & Local Spending

Aniagwu said the payment of salary arrears and other outstanding obligations could inject money directly into local economies.

He explained that when workers receive money owed to them, they spend part of it on food, transportation, household needs and other goods and services.

That spending, he said, creates income for traders and small businesses.

“If a civil servant receives 10 months’ salary, it means that the ability of that civil servant to spend has been enhanced,” he said.

He added that traders could use increased sales to restock their businesses, employ workers and meet other obligations.

Infrastructure as an Economic Driver

The commissioner also linked government infrastructure spending to grassroots economic activity.

He cited road construction, school renovations and other public projects as examples.

According to him, such projects create opportunities for contractors, artisans, suppliers and workers in the communities where they are executed.

He particularly highlighted the ongoing renovation of schools across Delta.

Aniagwu said the projects should therefore be viewed not only as infrastructure interventions but also as avenues for circulating money within local economies.

The state’s broader infrastructure programme, including major roads and flyovers, was also cited as part of the approach.

He said improved roads would help open up communities and facilitate the movement of goods and services.

Empowerment at the Grassroots

Aniagwu said Delta was also using empowerment programmes to inject resources into local communities.

He identified small businesses and agricultural activities among the areas receiving attention.

According to him, even relatively modest interventions could have wider effects when they reach people who operate within local economies.

Beneficiaries, he said, could use the funds to expand businesses, hire labour, cultivate farms and meet immediate household needs.

That process, he argued, would keep money circulating within communities.

Education & Public Spending

The commissioner also spoke about the government’s approach to recruitment into the teaching service.

He said the state was conducting a comprehensive needs assessment before employing additional teachers.

The assessment, according to him, would consider teacher-student ratios, subject requirements and available facilities.

Aniagwu said the approach was designed to ensure that public resources were deployed where they were most needed.

He also linked improved security and the state’s stronger financial position to a more favourable environment for economic development.

Communicating the Benefits

Aniagwu urged stakeholders to explain the reforms in terms that ordinary citizens could understand.

He said people should be able to see the connection between economic stabilisation, government revenue, public spending and household welfare.

The commissioner said the next stage of the reform process should focus on ensuring that macroeconomic improvements translate into better livelihoods and more economic opportunities.

The Federal Government has similarly framed its economic agenda around moving from macroeconomic stabilisation towards what it describes as microeconomic prosperity, including stronger production, employment, credit access and purchasing power.

The Test Is at the Grassroots

Aniagwu said the ultimate test of the reforms would be their effect on ordinary Nigerians.

He argued that economic recovery should eventually become visible in household incomes, business activity and people’s ability to meet their needs.

“The taste of the pudding is in the eating,” he said.

For Delta, he said the task was to consolidate the gains of the reforms and ensure that government programmes continued to connect economic growth with opportunities at the grassroots.