The Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has tasked local government Chairmen and councillors across the state to seize the opportunities inherent in the prevalent principle of financial autonomy to drive sustainable grassroots development, tackle insecurity, and improve service delivery to the people.
Speaking at the Delta State Councillors Forum Symposium 2025 held on Tuesday in Asaba, the Governor commended the Forum for initiating what he described as “a timely and consequential dialogue at this defining moment of Nigeria’s democracy.”
Oborevwori said the recent Supreme Court judgement granting full financial autonomy to local governments was a constitutional milestone that now removes every excuse for non-performance.
He said, “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”
On security, the governor reminded council leaders that “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.
He charged councils to embrace civility in tax and levy collection by engaging properly trained personnel, urging them to remain dedicated to their constitutional responsibilities and uphold the dignity of their office.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Delta State Councillors Forum and Leader of Warri South-West Legislative Arm, Mr Samuel Ekpemupolo, stressed that autonomy must translate into greater accountability and visible impact in communities.
He also called for dignified recognition of councillors as lawmakers at the local level, lamenting that councilorship was being reduced to “a mere empowerment scheme.”
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