ASABA: Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has inaugurated a 110-office administrative secretariat and an access road constructed by the Oshimili South Local Government Council in Asaba.
The newly completed office complex is designed to provide a more conducive working environment for local government employees and personnel of federal agencies operating within Oshimili South Local Government Area.
Among the agencies expected to benefit from the facility are the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and National Orientation Agency (NOA).
The projects were executed under the leadership of the Oshimili South Local Government Chairman, High Chief Obi Kelvin Ezenyili, as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots administration and improve the delivery of government services to residents.
Representing Governor Oborevwori at the inauguration, Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme described the projects as critical infrastructure capable of improving the efficiency of local government administration.
He said the new facilities would also make it easier for residents to access government services while creating a better working environment for council officials.
According to the governor, the projects align with his administration’s MORE Agenda, particularly its focus on Meaningful Development and Realistic Reforms.
“The provision of standard infrastructure at the grassroots is essential to effective governance and improved service delivery,” Oborevwori said.
The governor also emphasised the strategic importance of Asaba as Delta State’s capital, administrative centre and gateway to the state, noting that its development remained central to the government’s broader development plans.
He said the new secretariat would enhance productivity among council workers, while the newly constructed access road would improve connectivity, ease movement and help address traffic challenges around the council headquarters.
Oborevwori commended Ezenyili, the contractors and engineers involved in the projects for delivering the facilities to standard.
He also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for policies which, according to him, had strengthened the financial capacity of local governments to meet their obligations and undertake development projects.
Speaking on the council’s infrastructure achievements, Ezenyili said the new projects formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to reposition Oshimili South and bring government closer to residents.
The council chairman commended Governor Oborevwori for ensuring the regular release of statutory allocations to local governments, saying the support had enabled councils to implement projects and improve workers’ welfare.
Ezenyili listed several projects completed or being executed by the council, including the Oko Event Centre, the ongoing modern food market at Cable Point and a local government plaza being developed at the site of the burnt Ogbeogonogo Market.
Other projects, he said, include the newly completed administrative secretariat, installation of a 150KVA generator at the council headquarters and provision of a 500KVA transformer for Uchelele Street.
The council has also acquired three acres of land for a cemetery through a public-private partnership and is developing an ultra-modern shopping plaza at the council secretariat, which Ezenyili said was about 90 per cent complete.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the chairman said the council had also introduced initiatives aimed at improving security, youth engagement and community development.
According to him, an inter-community football competition was organised to promote unity and youth participation, while an emergency security short code, 7745, was introduced to facilitate rapid response during emergencies.
On youth empowerment, Ezenyili disclosed that the council had commenced Phase Two of its Advanced Digital Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme in partnership with Design Africa.
He said the programme was designed to equip young people across the council’s 11 wards with practical digital skills that could improve their employability and create opportunities for entrepreneurship.
The training areas include web development, 3D animation and motion graphics, video editing, graphic and magazine design, photo editing, e-marketing and digital advertising.
Participants are also being trained in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and drone technology, as part of efforts to prepare young people for the changing digital economy.
Ezenyili added that the newly constructed road linking the council secretariat to the Direct Labour Agency Road would significantly improve accessibility and movement around the council headquarters.
He said the road would also enhance the appearance of the council premises and contribute to the overall improvement of the administrative environment in Oshimili South.
