Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has directed that efforts be intensified at programmes capable of stimulating economic activity at the grassroots, to ensure the benefits of ongoing economic reforms in the country are felt directly by households in the state.
In line with this, ministries and agencies responsible for empowerment are to commence the process of identifying beneficiaries for various programmes aimed at economic activities at the grassroots.
The agencies include the Office of the Chief Job Creation Officer, the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, the Ministry of Youth Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The programmes are expected to provide business support, new skills and other forms of empowerment to enable beneficiaries to become economically productive.
Charles Aniagwu, the Commissioner for Works (rural roads) and Public Information who disclosed this at a press conference in Asaba, Thursday, said the directive formed part of fresh measures announced by Oborevwori’s administration to cushion the effects of economic hardship and boost the purchasing power of residents through infrastructure development, workers’ welfare, empowerment programmes and strategic investments.
‘The governor has directed that we intensify efforts at rolling out programmes that will indeed improve the purchasing power of our people,’ Aniagwu said.
Accompanied by Felix Ofou, the executive assistant to the governor on New Media, Aniagwu said the state’s improved financial position had enabled the government to undertake major capital projects while deliberately deploying resources to stimulate local economic activity rather than fuel inflation.
He explained that the planned massive renovation of schools across the state was part of the strategy, noting that the projects would create opportunities for contractors, artisans, suppliers and traders in local communities.
He said materials such as cement and roofing sheets would largely be sourced locally, ensuring that government expenditure circulated within the communities where the projects were being executed and created a multiplier effect through increased earnings and household spending.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state government was working to institutionalise the proposed payment of a 13th-month salary through legislation.
He said the initiative was not intended as indiscriminate distribution of funds but as a deliberate intervention to increase the disposable income of civil servants and stimulate economic activity.