Oborevwori’s reforms inject N5bn into Delta grassroots economy — Commissioner

The Delta Government has said its ongoing economic reforms and empowerment initiatives were designed to boost the purchasing power of residents; stimulate grassroots economic activities; and accelerate the state’s economic recovery.

Mr Charles Aniagwu, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information said this while briefing newsmen in Asaba, on Friday.

According to him, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s economic reforms are directly felt by the people, particularly low-income earners and operators of nano businesses.

He said the directive to councillors across the state to empower 200 persons in their respective wards was part of measures to strengthen purchasing power and enable small businesses to expand.

Aniagwu said with about 500 wards in the state, the initiative would benefit no fewer than 100,000 people and inject about N5 billion directly into the state’s economy at the grassroots.

He said that political and community leaders had also complemented the initiatives with additional interventions during empowerment programmes.

“An example is in Ika North-East, where leaders contributed at least N5 million in each federal ward, resulting in an additional injection of about N70 million into the local economy, alongside the funds provided by councillors.

“Strengthening purchasing power was critical to attracting and retaining investments.

“Businesses require a population with sufficient capacity to patronise their products and services,” he said.

He said that investors often preferred urban centres because of their relatively higher purchasing power.

The commissioner also said that improving economic capacity in rural communities would help spread investment and business opportunities across the state.

Aniagwu said the broader economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration had also produced improvements at the macroeconomic level.

“This is the state’s ability to mobilise contractors up to 40 per cent; pay workers’ salaries and emoluments between the 22nd and 25th of every month, ensuring that pensioners no longer queue at Government House for payment, ” he said.

Speaking on the recently passed 13th-month salary bill, Aniagwu commended the State House of Assembly for expediting consideration on the executive bill.

He said the measure would institutionalise payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants once assented to by the governor.

The commissioner said the 13th-month salary and other interventions were not merely election-related measures but part of a broader strategy to boost purchasing power and stimulate consumption.