The Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF), the apex media council representing the interests of the Ijaw ethnic group, has raised concerns about the Delta State Government’s claims regarding the 2025 budget of N979 billion. The group specifically questioned the state’s alleged allocation of projects to Ijaw riverine communities, accusing the government of marginalization and misinformation.
The controversy began when Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, the Delta State Director General of Orientation and Communication, appeared on a Lagos radio program and claimed that the 2025 budget includes significant projects for Ijaw communities. He also stated that the Oborevwori administration had empowered over 250,000 entrepreneurs through programs run by the Ministry of Women Affairs and the State Bureau for Wealth and Job Creation.
According to Latimore, the budget encompasses “improved and renewed rural and riverine mega roads and other infrastructural projects designed to boost intra- and inter-trade opportunities in the region.”
However, the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum, led by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, dismissed these claims as “propaganda and lies,” accusing the Delta State Government of neglecting the oil-rich Ijaw riverine communities. In a strongly worded press statement, the IPF argued that the administration’s claims are not backed by tangible evidence and labeled the promises as “audio projects”—a Nigerian colloquialism for projects announced but never implemented.
The group cited the Ayakoromo Bridge project as an example of unfulfilled promises. Despite being repeatedly featured in past budgets, the bridge remains uncompleted, leaving the communities it was meant to serve in limbo.
IPF expressed particular outrage over Latimore’s assertion that over 250,000 entrepreneurs had been empowered through various programs. The group claimed that none of its over 30 registered media enterprises or members from the Ijaw riverine communities had benefited from these initiatives.
Challenging the Delta State Government to provide concrete proof, IPF demanded the publication of detailed information about the projects and their beneficiaries. They called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration to release a breakdown of allocations to Ijaw riverine communities in the 2025 budget, including the exact amount earmarked for the Ayakoromo Bridge project.
The group also urged the state government to list the names and locations of businesses and entrepreneurs that allegedly benefited from the empowerment programs, as well as the specific materials or financial support provided to them.
IPF accused successive Delta State administrations, including those of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, of perpetuating a pattern of neglect and deception when it comes to Ijaw development. The group described Latimore’s statements as a calculated effort to mislead the public and boost the image of his “paymaster” at the expense of truth and accountability.
Read Also: Abuja Steel Company denies allegations of purchasing stolen government infrastructure
In their statement, IPF declared, “We will no longer tolerate media charades orchestrated by government officials like Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, who are skilled in propaganda but fail to deliver tangible results for the Ijaw people. The Oborevwori administration must break away from this cycle of deceit and address the genuine development needs of the Ijaw riverine communities.”
The group warned that failure to provide transparency on the budget allocations and empowerment programs would only deepen the mistrust between the government and the Ijaw communities.
Delta State has long been a hub of economic activity, particularly in the oil and gas sector, with the Ijaw communities contributing significantly to the state’s revenue. Yet, many Ijaw leaders argue that their communities remain underdeveloped and underserved.
The Ayakoromo Bridge, in particular, has become a symbol of unfulfilled promises. Initially conceived to connect remote Ijaw communities to economic hubs in Delta State, the project has been plagued by delays and inadequate funding, leaving residents stranded and frustrated.
The IPF’s demands for transparency align with broader calls for accountability in governance across Nigeria. With the 2025 budget already approved, the pressure is now on the Oborevwori administration to prove its commitment to equitable development and to demonstrate that its promises to the Ijaw people are more than empty rhetoric.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on the Delta State Government to respond to the IPF’s allegations and provide clarity on its plans for the Ijaw riverine communities. For now, the ball is in Governor Oborevwori’s court to rebuild trust and ensure that the state’s resources are allocated fairly and transparently.
