From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Delta State Government, Friday, disowned data from the Debt Management Office which pegged Delta State’s total domestic debt at N304 billion in June 2024, which increased to N342.5 billion by September 2024, saying that the state government had not borrowed any money since Governor Sheriff Oborevwori took over governance in the state on May 29, 2023.
Based on records released by DMO, Delta State led the states with highest debt profile as of September 2024 revealing that four states of which Delta was among borrowed an additional N118.3 billion from domestic sources between July and September 2024.
According to a report on an online portal, the figures mean that N42.5 billion was freshly borrowed by the state between July and September.
But reacting to the claim, the State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, at a press conference in Asaba, said contrary to reports by the online news medium, the State Government had not entered into any borrowing relationship with any institution.
His words: “This state has not entered into any borrowing relationship whatsoever, whether partnership, individual, corporate, bank, local, national or international. We have not borrowed a dime since this administration took effect on May 29, 2023.
“I can state categorically in any forum, that Delta State remains, in terms of financial terms, the strongest financial state standing in this country.
“I say so with every emphasis because I know the finances of the state, and I say that we are clearly, clearly the strongest financial state in Nigeria.
“I can stand this debate at any point in time, because I know the balances as I speak to you today. I know the efforts that are being made by this administration.
“We stand categorically, heads up, to state that this administration has not borrowed a dime since 29th of May, 2023.
“We have paid so much in terms of construction, we have made sure that all debts are being paid down as seriously as we can.
“We have also improved in terms of contractual relationship with our contractors. Before now, it is difficult for us to give our contractors advanced payments.
“But as I speak, virtually all of the major contracts we have now, we have actually offered between 30 percent to 40 percen in terms of advanced payment.
“Indeed, the last discussion I had with the Governor, we are even thinking that for this particular dry season, we are going to be paying up to 70 percent advance payment.
On his part, the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu described Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a man of impeccable integrity who has demonstrated a lot of transparency in the running of the affairs of the state.