From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has approved N4 billion to empower 15,000 indigent residents to support small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and ease economic hardship across the state.
The governor announced the approval at the State Executive Council meeting he presided over at Government House, Asaba, on Friday.
Addressing newsmen after the meeting, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, disclosed that the beneficiaries will be drawn from the 25 local government areas under an initiative designed to improve livelihoods and strengthen the purchasing power of vulnerable residents.
Aniagwu, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, said the intervention would be implemented through the Delta State Social Investment Programme in the coming weeks, adding that the governor had directed that the selection process be guided by clear eligibility criteria.
According to him, priority will be given to indigent persons who already operate small businesses, those seeking to establish micro-enterprises and vulnerable residents who require financial support to improve their circumstances.
He said the grant was intended to help existing businesses overcome economic challenges, provide start-up capital for aspiring entrepreneurs and enable beneficiaries to meet pressing needs.
The commissioner explained that the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to ensure that the benefits of ongoing economic reforms translated into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Deltans.
Beyond the empowerment programme, the Executive Council approved compensation for land acquired in the central senatorial district for agricultural purpose.
Aniagwu said the decision followed discussions at the last economic summits, where the need to make land available for large-scale farming and agricultural investment was identified as a priority.
He said the government was taking deliberate steps to create an environment that would attract commercial farmers from within and outside Nigeria while giving local farmers opportunities to expand their operations.
The move, he added, was expected to make the state’s agricultural land bank more accessible and valuable to investors, with the potential to stimulate production, create jobs and expand economic opportunities.
In preparation for the 2027 fiscal year, the council also approved the Economic and Fiscal Updates, Fiscal Strategy Paper and Budget Policy Paper to guide the preparation of the state’s next budget.
Aniagwu said the documents would provide the economic assumptions, revenue projections and policy direction required for realistic budget planning.
He noted that anticipated stability in the naira would help government planning, although possible fluctuations in international crude oil prices could affect revenue expectations from the Federation Account.
The council also directed the Ministry of Health to explore the expansion of free medical outreach services in riverine communities.
The initiative followed a recent medical outreach in communities affected by oil spillage, which was organised after the governor visited the affected areas and directed the state to provide medical assistance.
According to Aniagwu, the response to the exercise was encouraging, with residents travelling from other areas to access the services after hearing about the programme.
He said the governor had therefore asked the ministry to consider making such outreach programmes more regular to improve access to healthcare in riverine communities.
In another decision aimed at improving workers’ welfare, the council approved the construction of a clubhouse for civil servants at the State Secretariat in Asaba.
Aniagwu clarified that the facility was intended to provide civil servants with a place to meet, socialise and relax outside working hours.
The approvals, he said, reflected the administration’s continued focus on social investment, agriculture, public service welfare and human development alongside its infrastructure programme.
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