LlAs Governor Sheriff Oborevwori celebrates his second year in office, the landscape of Delta State tells a story of progress through infrastructure, education, youth empowerment, and civil service reform. In this exclusive interview, Chief Uchenna Okafor, Director General of the Taskforce and Enforcement of the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA), Delta State, offers an in-depth evaluation of the administration’s achievements and challenges—while articulating a compelling vision for the road ahead:
As a key stakeholder in Delta State, how would you assess Governor Oborevwori’s performance over the past two years?
Governor Oborevwori’s performance over the last two years has been nothing short of transformative—not just in terms of visible infrastructure, but also in how he has repositioned the core philosophy of governance in Delta State. What makes his approach distinct is its multidimensionality: while many administrations might lean heavily on brick-and-mortar achievements, Governor Oborevwori has struck a balance between physical development, institutional reform, and human capital investment.
To begin with, the sheer scale of infrastructural intervention is commendable. The administration has initiated and completed over 513 projects, with nearly 1,500 kilometers of roads constructed or rehabilitated across the state. These are not vanity projects; they are practical arteries linking economic hubs with underserved rural communities. By easing transport logistics, these roads have enhanced trade, agricultural distribution, and even school attendance in previously disconnected regions.
In the education sector, which is foundational to any long-term development strategy, the recruitment of 2,500+ teaching and non-teaching staff across 22 Local Government Areas marks a decisive intervention. But it goes beyond numbers—it addresses a long-standing problem of teacher shortages, particularly in public schools where enrollment has risen but staffing often lags behind. The administration’s policy has not only filled gaps but also infused fresh energy and professionalism into the public education workforce.
And importantly, the civil service—often taken for granted in development discourse—has received due attention. With ₦5.522 billion paid in promotion arrears, the governor has reaffirmed his respect for merit, fairness, and administrative morale. Altogether, these accomplishments reflect a comprehensive, inclusive, and human-centered governance model—one that prioritizes both the hardware and the software of state-building.
The governor’s MORE Agenda has been central to his administration.
Can you elaborate on its impact, particularly on the commercial motorcycle and tricycle sector?
The MORE Agenda—which stands for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security—has been a transformative policy compass for this administration. It’s more than a slogan; it’s a policy framework that reflects the lived realities of Delta’s people. For those of us in the transport and mobility ecosystem, particularly the commercial motorcycle (okada) and tricycle (keke) sector, the impact of this agenda has been both structural and strategic.
First, under the principle of Realistic Reforms, the state has made significant strides in reorganizing our sector, which historically has operated with minimal regulation, leading to safety risks, traffic chaos, and exploitation. Through the governor’s leadership, we now have clearly defined operating zones, registration protocols, identification systems, and traffic compliance measures that have elevated our profession from an informal activity into a more organized and dignified livelihood.
This is critical, considering that the sector employs tens of thousands of not only young Deltans but people around the country, many of whom use it as an entry point into economic independence. The MORE Agenda has formalized our role in the economy, giving operators access to training, state-backed cooperative financing, and inclusion in developmental planning.
Moreover, under Meaningful Development, the administration’s infrastructural efforts have had cascading benefits. New roads and rehabilitated bridges have made routes safer, more navigable, and less prone to accidents or mechanical failures. This has directly reduced operational costs for our members—fuel consumption is lower, vehicle wear and tear has decreased, and customer reach has expanded.
The Opportunities for All pillar speaks to inclusivity. The governor has deliberately engaged stakeholders at all levels—our association included—giving us a seat at the table where decisions are made. We’ve been consulted on policy directions, route planning, and even involved in urban transport discussions. This participatory governance is rare and deeply appreciated.
Lastly, Enhanced Peace and Security has enabled a safer operational environment. With better collaboration between local security agencies and transport unions, we’ve seen a reduction in extortion, turf wars, and street-level criminality. This benefits not only the operators but the riding public as well.
So yes, the MORE Agenda has not just shaped policy; it has reshaped our reality.
As the Director General of COMTOA, how has your association contributed to the state’s development under Governor Oborevwori’s leadership?
COMTOA’s role in Delta State’s developmental journey—especially in the last two years—has evolved from being a regulatory watchdog to a collaborative partner in grassroots governance.
Our first mandate has been operational sanity. By enforcing traffic laws, curbing illegal operations, and implementing standardized rules across LGAs, we’ve played a vital role in ensuring that commercial mobility is not synonymous with chaos. This includes conducting random safety checks, registering operators, issuing identification badges, and ensuring that vehicles meet basic maintenance and safety requirements.
Second, we have invested in capacity-building. In collaboration with the state government and private partners, we have organized workshops on defensive driving, customer relations, vehicle maintenance, and even financial literacy. These programs not only improve service delivery but also empower our members with knowledge and tools that enhance their personal growth.
Third, we’ve facilitated access to micro-financing schemes, allowing operators to upgrade their vehicles or invest in small business ventures on the side. This is especially impactful in reducing poverty and crime, as many of our members are primary breadwinners in vulnerable households.
And finally, we’ve ensured that our members understand their responsibilities to the state—not just as transporters, but as civic actors. We run advocacy campaigns on road discipline, environmental cleanliness, and community safety. All these contribute to a more functional, inclusive Delta State aligned with the governor’s broader vision.
Governor Oborevwori recently won the 2024 Governor of the Year award. What does this recognition mean for Delta State and its residents?
The recognition is both symbolic and catalytic. Symbolically, it is a national validation of effective governance, confirming that the progress we witness daily in Delta State is not just internal sentiment, but an externally observed reality.
For us, the award reaffirms that our aspirations as Deltans are being met and our challenges are being prioritized. It builds trust in public institutions—something that is often lacking in many parts of Nigeria. When leadership is recognized for performance rather than political patronage, it restores hope in the democratic process.
It’s also catalytic because it places Delta State on the national and international investment radar. Awards like this boost our reputation as a stable and progressive state, encouraging both local investors and foreign development partners to explore opportunities here. We expect this momentum to translate into more partnerships in areas like infrastructure, agriculture, ICT, and energy. At a more intimate level, it inspires the average Deltan to believe that good leadership matters—and that it’s worth supporting.
Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the next two years of Governor Oborevwori’s administration?
My expectations are both ambitious and grounded in the governor’s track record so far.
First, I believe we will see deepened infrastructure development—not just roads, but drainage systems, electricity grids, healthcare facilities, and rural water schemes.
Second, I expect a stronger focus on agriculture and food security. With the right investment in mechanization, value chains, and access to markets, Delta can become a food basket—not just for the region, but for the country.
Third, I hope to see the formalization of more informal sectors. Our transport sector is a case study, but markets, artisans, and small-scale producers deserve similar regulatory and financial inclusion.
Fourth, digital governance must take center stage. E-governance can reduce corruption, increase efficiency, and bring citizens closer to the services they need.
Lastly, I anticipate deeper collaboration. Associations like ours are ready to step up. With greater inclusion, feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement, the next two years can be even more impactful than the last.
Finally, what message would you like to convey to the people of Delta State as we celebrate this milestone?
My message is one of collective ownership. Development is not the job of the governor alone. It is a partnership between the government and the governed. I urge every Deltan—young and old, urban and rural—to recognize their role in this journey.
Support the administration, obey the laws, engage in community service, and hold leaders accountable. Let’s not forget that the MORE Agenda is about all of us. It is about building a state that is safe, prosperous, inclusive, and future-ready.
As we celebrate this milestone, let it not be the end of a chapter but the beginning of a new one—a chapter where every citizen is an architect of progress.
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