A lot of people from Delta were stunned after witnessing the tsunami that hit Agbor in Delta State recently. We found this shocking because under normal conditions, such scenes would seem unreal and might even appear as fabricated visuals created with CGI by individuals who may harbor ill intentions towards Delta. However, these videos weren’t fake; neither did they involve AI. They captured a huge tsunami flooding several important routes within Delta state. These very roadways had earlier cost the preceding government led by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa approximately 30 billion Nigerian naira for their repair, renovation, or construction.
As we grappled with uncertainty about the authenticity of the Agbor tsunami images, the most perplexing aspect emerged: how such an extensive tsunami could occur in Delta State. This doubt intensified due to continuous reports from the Delta State government showcasing infrastructure projects under the Oborevwori administration through videos and sketches meant to highlight developmental efforts. These updates came weekly and monthly, further fueling our skepticism.
If you’re from Delta and images showcasing the alleged progress under the current Delta governor fail to inspire enthusiasm within you, then perhaps you aren’t truly committed to your roots. Given how abundantly blessed Delta State is both in terms of natural wealth and human capital, seeing so many residents trapped in severe poverty can be disheartening. Understanding this reality and recalling certain questionable practices carried out during previous administrations, we informally proposed to representatives of the Delta State government that they should bring in impartial evaluators to verify the authenticity of these reported developments. Our appeals were directed at the chief spokesperson of the governor’s office; however, every time such inquiries were raised casually, responses often came back laced with theatrical displays—mockeries filled with comedy and melodrama depicting the purportedly impressive yet dubious achievements attributed to the present administration. It felt like their press team was more akin to performers rather than reliable sources of news.
A significant part of the discussion surrounding Delta State’s slow progress towards becoming the Dubai of Nigeria revolves around its reputed wealth. Besides receiving the largest share of funds in Nigeria, Delta State also benefits from an additional 13% derived from oil revenues. What people generally know is that half of this 13%, which comes from oil derivations, seems to vanish without a trace, supported occasionally by sketches presented as proof. Currently, no one within Delta State understands where the rest of these derivation funds are directed. No one has insight into the worth of these initiatives, their distribution, or even the tendering process behind awarding contracts for these frequently showcased yet seemingly staged projects depicted in various clips.
Perhaps due to my previous misunderstanding regarding the seriousness of informally seeking information on how funds are allocated in Delta State, I’ve now made this inquiry official. Through a Freedom of Information request, I am asking specifically how the derivation fund money from Delta State is being utilized. Typically, when faced with such inquiries, authoritative bodies should respond accordingly—either denying the request outright or providing detailed information as per the query. However, neither of these responses materialized. Instead, the Delta government has continued releasing low-quality videos purporting to show their use of public funds without offering substantial transparency.
The events unfolded within the same week following my Freedom of Information request to the Delta state government when the Agbor tsunami struck. Currently, I find little appeal in anticipating what actions the Delta state administration might take regarding the Agbor incident. Similarly, delving into whether the 2018 Appeals Court verdict encouraging state leaders to disregard inquiries from concerned citizens holds water isn’t something I’m keen on exploring further. This is because the Supreme Court has effectively overturned the earlier judgment seemingly as a rebuttal against the stance taken by the Delta state authorities representing their people.
However, allow me to emphasize these steadfast beliefs: firstly, regardless of the number of satirical sketches and video presentations produced by the Delta state government aimed at showcasing supposed accomplishments, such efforts carry minimal weight compared with substantial proof suggesting that these claimed successes may well be fictitious constructs designed merely to mislead residents. Secondly, funds under scrutiny aren’t personal assets belonging solely to the Delta state’s chief executive; rather they’re communal resources managed in trusteeship for all Deltans who possess every right to seek transparency concerning expenditure details. My primary concern aligns closely with apprehensions shared among fellow Deltans—that significant portions of these financial allocations could end up masking genuine issues before potentially serving ulterior motives linked to reinforcing certain politicians’ standing across Nigerian politics.
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