Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged local government chairmen and councillors to leverage the recent Supreme Court judgment granting full financial autonomy to local governments. He urged them to drive sustainable grassroots development, tackle insecurity, and improve service delivery.
Speaking at the Delta State Councillors Forum Symposium 2025 held on Tuesday September 22 in Asaba, he commended the Forum for initiating what he described as “a timely and qconsequential dialogue at this defining moment of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The governor emphasized that financial autonomy will enhance development at the grassroots level, free from political interference or administrative bottlenecks.
“With this autonomy, it is expected that development at the grassroots will be enhanced and unhindered by political interference or administrative bottlenecks. Chairmen and councillors must now deliver on their mandate without excuses”.
Oborevwori stressed that safety is a shared responsibility that must begin from the wards, encouraging council leaders to work closely with security agencies to gather intelligence and respond effectively to security challenges.He also urged councils to be proactive, accountable, and transparent in their operations, embracing civility in tax and levy collection by engaging properly trained personnel.
“safety is a shared responsibility that must begin from the wards.If councillors and chairmen work closely, they will gather intelligence that will help security agencies respond effectively.
Councils must be proactive, not reactive. We are planning to resume statewide town hall meetings in 2026 to keep the people abreast of what the government has done, what it has not done, and what it plans to do.”
The Delta State Councillors Forum chairman highlighted the need for dignified recognition of councillors as lawmakers at the local level, calling for greater accountability and visible impact in communities
