INTERVIEW - Engage in expansive public budget breakdown in future, DACCIMA urges Delta Govt; lists key issues to address for Delta’s private sector to thrive (SEE FULL INTERVIEW)

Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA) has called on the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori government to consider engaging public budget breakdowns expansively in future. President of DACCIMA, Prof. Anthony Idigbe, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) made the call in a question and answer with banneronlinenews.com. Asked if DACIMMA expected the Delta State Government to give a public breakdown of the budget after it was presented to the State House of Assembly, as a way of getting the business and organized private sector to understand the mind of government and make necessary adjustments for viable business engagements, Prof Idigbe (SAN) said: “Public breakdown of budget allocations in line with the M.O.R.E. would indeed empower the private sector to make informed decisions. Such clarity allows businesses to align their strategies with government priorities and identify potential opportunities for collaboration. “We urge the government to consider adopting open communication practices like public budget breakdowns more extensively in future.” The DACCIMA boss reasoned that while formal consultations an the 2024 budget of the State could have been extensive, he appreciated the recent steps taken by Governor Oborevwori’s administration with the private sector. Idigbe said: “DACCIMA remains committed to open dialogue and constructive engagement on matters impacting the economy,” pointing out that “We believe that continued efforts to bridge this gap will benefit both the government and the private sector in the long run.” Asked what DACCIMA thinks of the 2024 Delta Budget recently signed into law by the Governor, Prof Idigbe said although the group was still analyzing the budget’s details, and acknowledged that there are initial positive signals like increased allocation for infrastructural development and social welfare programmes, which are priorities that align with the M.O.R.E. agenda’s focus on creating and enabling environment for businesses to thrive, he said: “However, we emphasise the need for investments in sectors directly driving private sector growth, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism.” See full interview below: DACCIMA responses to interview: How well is the organised private sector in Delta State fairing? While challenges like infrastructure limitations and access to finance persist, we're witnessing growing optimism within the Delta state private sector. Initiatives under Governor Oborevwori's M.O.R.E. agenda, particularly those focused on infrastructural development like road construction and power generation, hold promising potential to address some of these hurdles. However, sustained efforts and collaboration between all stakeholders – government, private sector, and civil society – are crucial to capitalize on this optimism and achieve sustainable growth. What are the factors militating against growth of the business sector in Delta State and how do you think this can be remedied? Infrastructure gaps, especially in power and transportation networks, remain a significant constraint. Additionally, access to finance for MSMEs and complex administrative processes continue to hamper business expansion. We commend Governor Oborevwori's focus on addressing these issues through the M.O.R.E. agenda, particularly the proposed Public-Private Partnerships for power distribution and infrastructure upgrades. Streamlining bureaucratic processes and promoting financial inclusion through innovative initiatives like loan guarantees can further ease operational burdens. Continued dialogue and collaboration between DACCIMA and the government are key to ensuring these efforts meet the specific needs of the private sector. The Delta State Government 2024 budget has just been signed into law, what is the take of DACCIMA on the budget? While we're currently analyzing the budget's details, we initially see positive signals like increased allocation for infrastructural development and social welfare programmes. These priorities align with the M.O.R.E. agenda's focus on creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive. However, we emphasize the need for investments in sectors directly driving private sector growth, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. We're confident that open communication and continued engagement with the government will allow us to identify potential areas for budget adjustments that further benefit the private sector. Did the state government deem it necessary to carry DACCIMA along by calling for your body's input in the budget? While formal consultations on the 2024 budget could have been more extensive, we appreciate the recent steps taken by Governor Oborevwori's administration to foster closer communication with the private sector. DACCIMA remains committed to open dialogue and constructive engagement on matters impacting the economy. We believe that continued efforts to bridge this gap will benefit both the government and the private sector in the long run. Soon after the Governor presented his budget to the Delta State House of Assembly was DACCIMA expecting the state government to give a public breakdown of the budget as a way of getting the business and organised private sector to understand the mind of the government and adjust so as to make profitable adjustments in business engagements? Public breakdowns of budget allocations, in line with the transparency objectives of M.O.R.E., would indeed empower the private sector to make informed decisions. Such clarity allows businesses to align their strategies with government priorities and identify potential opportunities for collaboration. We urge the government to consider adopting open communication practices like public budget breakdowns more extensively in the future. In what way does DACCIMA think that the Delta State 2024 budget will help the organised private sector? The budget's focus on infrastructural development, particularly under the M.O.R.E. agenda's road construction and power generation initiatives, holds significant promise for the private sector. Improved infrastructure is a key driver of economic growth and business productivity. Additionally, investments in social welfare programs can indirectly benefit businesses by creating a healthier and more skilled workforce. However, the effectiveness of these allocations hinges on transparent and efficient implementation alongside continued private sector engagement. Are there other issues that DACCIMA would want the state government to look into to encourage and strengthen the organised private sector in Delta State? Beyond budgetary allocations, we encourage the government to address several key issues: * Streamlining bureaucratic processes:** Reducing administrative burdens will save businesses time and resources, allowing them to focus on growth. * Enhancing access to finance: Expanding access to affordable credit, particularly for MSMEs, is crucial for stimulating entrepreneurial activity and investment. * Fostering innovation and skills development: Supporting initiatives that equip the workforce with the skills needed for the modern economy will drive long-term competitiveness. * Promoting a conducive business environment: Upholding regulatory clarity and consistency, alongside protecting property rights, will attract and retain investment. By addressing these issues alongside the M.O.R.E. agenda's objectives, the government can create a truly robust and enabling environment for the Delta State private sector to thrive.

PERSPECTIVE - Gbagi's bellicosity and the sure doom to come

By Felix Ofou Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the 2023 election in Delta State, is a man known for many words and causing hysteria. He is one man driven by ego and does not care what happens to other people. And unless you are willing to lick his often dirty boots, the Oginibo, Ughelli South born lawyer, turned politician is likely to declare you persona non grata. Because he is also a man given to high drama and calling attention to himself, no one is surprised when he pours out his regular vituperations, all in a bid to project himself more important than anyone in his immediate vicinity. He is one man who hates to be ignored or shoved aside. It is therefore no surprise to those who know him well to learn that he gathered a motley crowd on Saturday, January 7, 2024 to thump his chest and make some whimsical claims about winning the 2023 governorship election of Delta State. Neither was anyone shocked that Gbagi claimed to be the only one eligible to contest in that election. But more laughable were the allegations of bribery against the three-man panel of the election tribunal and five man panel of Justices of the Court of Appeal that interrogated his petition against the winner of the poll as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The SDP candidate pointedly asked the Justices of the Supreme Court due to hear his petition challenging the rulings of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and that of the Appeal Court, to "save Delta State from total collapse". He reiterated his often belligerent claim that Oborevwori, his counterparts in the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ovie Augustine Omo-Agege, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru and Ken Pela of the Labour Party (LP), were not qualified to contest the said election and therefore urged the apex court to rule in his favour. "Irrespective of what the manipulators would have done, it is the aspiration, the prayer and the cry of the young, those of age and the old persons and people of this country, particularly those of them from Delta State that their choice for governor of Delta State, should be brought back by God. "It is only Gbagi who actually spent his personal hard earned money to visit every nook and cranny of Delta State; every Church and denomination to campaign and educate the citizens of the colossal loss if, for any reason, they allow criminals to continue to run the affairs of Delta State. "The election was clearly won by Gbagi by a landslide. However what we saw surprising to man but not to God, was that the entire election machinery was hijacked and figures that do not exist anywhere were allocated. Fooling themselves that they have done anything great but contrary to God's decision", he alleged. What Gbagi failed to tell the world, however, is the undisputed fact that he scored only 53 votes in the said guber poll, meaning that not even his kinsmen in Oginibo and Ughelli South found him worthy to occupy the exalted office of governor. Even his over 500 tenants in Robinson Plaza, Warri to whom he has become a terror, did not also consider him eligible. If a man could not garner votes from those regarded as his immediate constituents, where else lies his hope? Truth is, Gbagi and his co-travelers had hoped to upstage Governor Oborevwori and the PDP through a plethora of spurious claims bordering on alleged forgery, perjury and age falsification. Unfortunately for them, the Supreme Court has since thrown out the cases and declared Oborevwori eligible to contest, thereby rendering their plot prostate. Rather than accept the judgment of the apex court, which rightly limited such issues as part of pre-election matters, the SDP candidate wants the court to reverse itself and declare Oborevwori and the other candidates ineligible. He also wants the court to declare him winner of the March 18 Governorship poll. How can a so called senior lawyer not know that the Supreme Court has put a final lid on the acrobatics which he and his cohorts had conjured against Sheriff Oborevwori? How can same lawyer turn round, after a woeful vote return of just 53 to allege that the bench had been bribed? For a man who was once chairman of the Legal Aid Council in Nigeria, his legal trajectory is scandalous. Obviously, Gbagi had yet to wake up from a drunken sleep which sent him hallucinating after the loss in the election. His bellicosity should therefore be understood and pardoned because, even the fool knows that Gov. Oborevwori won the March 18 election and has since been discharging his functions as Chief Executive Officer of the state. Notable among the achievements of the Oborevwori administration include the payment of N5 billion promotion areas to civil servants, payment of N40 billion to local government pensioners, employment of over 2,000 teachers and non teaching staff in the 25 local government areas and payment of N10,000 for three months as palliative to over 50,000 civil and public servants, among others. More remarkable is the award of N78 billion naira contract to Julius Berger to construct flyovers, cloverleaf and road expansion in Warri and Effurun as well as other projects. This is apart from continuing with projects inherited from his predecessor. Evidently, Deltans are happy with the Oborevwori administration and his determination to pursue the M.O.R.E. agenda. Contrary to Gbagi's dubious claim, Delta is on a more sure footed stand and not on the "verge of total collapse." Suffice is it to say that Deltans and, indeed, Nigerians expect that the Supreme Court would uphold the verdict of the people who overwhemingly voted for Oborevwori as has been the case at the tribunal and Court of Appeal levels. Gbagi's wish ultimately would meet with certain doom. And when that happens, Oborevwori, PDP and majority of the people would have the last laugh.