By Ugochukwu Benson
Abuja — The African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Engr. Isaac Eshor, has called on the Delta State Government to provide a detailed account of funds expended on the recently concluded Delta State Economic Summit, describing the event as costly and questioning its impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja, Eshor challenged the relevance of organizing high-profile economic summits while many rural communities across the state continue to grapple with poor road networks, inadequate infrastructure and unreliable electricity supply.
According to him, Deltans deserve to know how much public money was spent on the summit and what measurable economic benefits have accrued to the state as a result of the gathering.
People are asking what Delta State has gained from the economic summit. How can a government prioritize such events when many rural communities remain inaccessible due to bad roads and the state continues to struggle with inadequate power supply?” he queried.
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The AAC governorship hopeful accused successive administrations in the state of investing heavily in what he described as “elephant projects” and ceremonial activities rather than initiatives capable of improving the living conditions of residents.
He argued that despite Delta State’s substantial revenue profile, including federal allocations and internally generated revenue, the pace of development has not matched the resources available to the state.
Eshor further alleged that Delta State recorded its highest-ever allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in 2025, amounting to about ₦649.67 billion, while domestic debt reportedly increased by ₦47.6 billion within nine months.
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Delta had its highest-ever FAAC allocation in 2025, yet domestic debt still grew significantly within the same period. If salaries and capital projects account for the expenditure, the government should publish a detailed breakdown. The Governor himself stated in January that he would not hide information from the people. We are simply asking for transparency,” he said.
The AAC candidate also referenced reports indicating that approximately ₦177 billion was committed to five flyover projects, representing about 4.2 per cent of an estimated ₦4.119 trillion in total revenue receipts, arguing that government spending priorities should be aligned with addressing unemployment, poverty and infrastructure deficits.
According to him, Delta State ought to rank among Nigeria’s most developed states given its abundant human and natural resources.
Reports suggest that Delta State has received over ₦4.119 trillion from federal allocations and other revenue sources in recent years. The question is whether the current level of development reflects the enormous resources available to the state,” he stated.
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Eshor further challenged the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish comprehensive records of road projects executed since assuming office, including contract sums, project locations and implementation status, to enable citizens to assess government performance.
He maintained that transparency and accountability remain critical pillars of good governance and insisted that residents have a right to know how public funds are being utilized.
The AAC candidate also referenced recent comments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urging state governments to prioritize projects that directly impact grassroots communities rather than concentrating resources on large-scale projects that may not immediately address the needs of the people.
According to him, many rural communities in Delta State still lack basic infrastructure and functional access roads, a situation he described as unacceptable for a state endowed with significant resources.
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He therefore called on Deltans to demand greater accountability from public office holders and support a governance model anchored on prudence, transparency and people-oriented development.
We must build a government that places the welfare of the people above political showmanship. Delta State needs prudent and accountable leadership that will channel resources into projects capable of lifting citizens out of poverty and driving sustainable development,” Eshor added.
By Ugochukwu Benson
