Equal Opportunity Initiative Targets Balanced Development Across Delta — Akpewe

The Delta State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has unveiled the proposed Equal Opportunities Local Government Development Initiative (EOLGDI) of its governorship candidate, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, as part of his strategy to promote balanced development across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state if elected governor in 2027.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Fred Akpewe, disclosed this in a statement, stressing that Delta State is endowed with abundant natural and human resources capable of driving sustainable economic development.

According to him, the state does not lack human capital, fertile land, waterways, oil and gas resources, a strategic coastline or enormous economic potential, but has lacked for decades a clear philosophy of development that guarantees every part of the state a fair opportunity to benefit from government.

Akpewe said the EOLGDI is built around the principle of decentralising development and making every Local Government Area an active participant in the economic transformation of Delta State.

He noted that the 25 LGAs are spread across the three senatorial districts and possess different geographical, economic and social characteristics, making it necessary for government interventions to reflect their peculiar needs and economic strengths.

“Ogboru’s approach is different. The Equal Opportunities Local Government Development Initiative starts from the proposition that government must deliberately take development to the people rather than waiting for development to trickle down from Asaba, Warri, Sapele, Ughelli or other major urban centres,” he stated.

Akpewe explained that under the initiative, every LGA would have access to a predictable development envelope tied to clearly defined projects and measurable outcomes.

He said the initiative would not be about simply distributing money, but about distributing opportunities and enabling each local government to identify and develop its comparative economic advantage

According to him, riverine LGAs could be developed around fisheries, aquaculture, marine transportation, tourism and the blue economy, while agricultural areas could receive support for mechanised farming, agro-processing, storage and agricultural value chains.

He added that oil and gas-producing communities could be developed into industrial and service clusters, while urban and semi-urban LGAs could become centres for commerce, technology, manufacturing and services. The philosophy is therefore not ‘one project for every LGA.’ It is an opportunity for every LGA to become economically productive,” Akpewe said.

He identified need, opportunity and measurable impact as the three major principles of the proposed Ogboru model, saying it would represent a departure from development determined by political connections, geographical proximity to government or partisan loyalty.
Akpewe maintained that the ultimate objective is to transform local governments from mere administrative centres into economic development hubs.

He described the EOLGDI as a bold development vision which, according to him, a Great Ogboru-led administration would pursue with vigour, speed and accuracy from 2027.