Oborevwori’s Empowerment Plan Targets ₦5 Billion Injection Into Delta Grassroots Economy — Aniagwu
By PAULINA NZERUBE
THE Delta State Government says its economic reforms and empowerment programmes are aimed at increasing residents’ purchasing power and stimulating activities at the grassroots.
Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this on Friday during a press briefing in Asaba.
₦5bn Target for 100,000 Residents
Aniagwu said the government had directed councillors across the state to empower 200 people in each ward.
With about 500 wards, he said the initiative could reach at least 100,000 residents and inject about ₦5 billion into the grassroots economy.
The programme, according to him, targets low-income earners and operators of nano and small businesses.
Aniagwu said the intervention would help beneficiaries keep their businesses running, expand their operations and improve their purchasing power.
Leaders Add More Support
Political and community leaders have also supplemented the government’s efforts through additional empowerment programmes.
Aniagwu cited Ika North-East as an example. He said leaders contributed at least ₦5 million in each federal ward.
The contributions, he added, amounted to about ₦70 million in additional funds injected into the local economy.
Purchasing Power & Investment
The commissioner linked stronger purchasing power to investment growth.
He explained that businesses needed customers with enough income to buy their goods and services.
According to him, investors often favour urban areas because residents there generally have greater purchasing power.
Therefore, Aniagwu said improving economic capacity in rural communities could encourage businesses and investments to spread beyond major urban centres.
Reforms & State Finances
Aniagwu also linked the state’s improved financial position to the broader economic reforms of the Federal Government.
He said Delta could now mobilise contractors with advance payments of up to 40 per cent.
The state, he added, had also been paying workers’ salaries and emoluments between the 22nd and 25th of every month.
Pensioners, he said, no longer needed to queue at Government House to receive their payments.
Aniagwu further pointed to stable academic activities in Delta-owned universities as another sign of improved financial capacity.
13th-Month Salary
The commissioner also commended the Delta State House of Assembly for passing the 13th-month salary bill.
He said the measure would institutionalise the payment of a 13th-month salary to state civil servants once Governor Sheriff Oborevwori assents to it.
Aniagwu argued that the salary initiative was part of a broader economic strategy rather than merely an election-related measure.
He said putting more money in workers’ hands would increase consumption, support businesses and ease pressure on households.
Ultimately, he said the government’s objective was to strengthen purchasing power and create conditions that could attract more investment across Delta State.
