SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT: A Response to Chief Wilson Omene on Delta’s Development and Political Alignment

It In recent days, comments by Chief Wilson Omene, former Chairman of Ethiope West Local Government Council, aired on Rero TV, have stirred public discourse about Delta State’s ongoing infrastructure projects and the Governor’s decision to align politically with the All Progressives Congress (APC). While everyone is entitled to their opinion in a democracy, it is equally important to set the record straight when opinions are presented as facts and risk misleading the public.

Infrastructure with Purpose, Not Prestige

Chief Omene’s suggestion that the flyovers and road expansion projects in Warri and Effurun are unnecessary or “misdirected” is not only inaccurate but reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of urban planning and economic development. Warri and Effurun are more than just urban centers, they are strategic hubs that connect Delta to regional and national economic arteries, including ports, industries, and border communities.

These infrastructural projects are not cosmetic. They are targeted interventions aimed at decongesting traffic, enhancing connectivity, improving logistics, and unlocking the commercial vibrancy of Delta’s most critical zones. When we ease the movement of goods and people, we drive productivity, stimulate investment, and lay the foundation for long-term economic prosperity.

To label such strategic efforts as wasteful is to ignore the essential role infrastructure plays in development. Globally, infrastructure is the backbone of growth, and Delta State is aligning with that reality.

Equity Over Ethnicity

More troubling is Chief Omene’s call to redirect funds primarily to the Delta Central Senatorial District for industrialization. While development of that nature is important, such a proposition reeks of narrow regionalism. Delta State is one united entity, and the M.O.R.E. Agenda of this administration is deliberately crafted to deliver benefits across Delta North, Central, and South.

No community, ethnic group, or senatorial district will be left behind. Our development priorities are informed by data, equity, and the long-term interest of all Deltans, not parochial sentiment.

Political Alignment for Progress, Not Power

The Governor’s alignment with the APC was not a knee-jerk decision nor a self-serving gamble. It followed extensive consultation with political leaders, community representatives, and stakeholders across the state. It is a move grounded in strategy and foresight, aimed at deepening collaboration with the Federal Government to attract more developmental opportunities to our state.

This is not about defection for personal gain. It is about governance. It is about maximizing our state’s potential and accessing the resources and partnerships required to drive the MORE Agenda to full realization. Progress must always trump partisanship.

Constructive Criticism is Welcome—But It Must Be Honest

Criticism is a healthy component of any democracy, and we welcome robust debate. But that debate must be grounded in truth, fairness, and a shared desire for Delta State to flourish. Attempts to mislead, divide, or whip up sectional sentiment undermine the very progress we all claim to desire.

Chief Omene, and others who share his views, are encouraged to engage constructively, offering ideas that unite, not divide; that build, not tear down.

Moving Forward—Together

Delta State is on a forward march. From infrastructure renewal to job creation, from healthcare investments to education reform, the signs of progress are visible across all three senatorial districts. Let us rise above political distractions and focus on what truly matters: delivering a better Delta for this generation and the next.

Together, let’s keep moving Delta forward.