Delta At 34 ! What the Government Can Be Proud Of in the Last 2 Years

Delta State has always carried a unique weight in Nigeria’s story — an oil-rich hub, a cultural melting pot, and a land blessed with talent, yet often grappling with the paradox of abundance and underdevelopment. Over the last two years, however, the conversation in cafés, market stalls, and even WhatsApp groups has begun to shift. People are asking: what exactly has the Delta State Government achieved, and what can it proudly present as its scorecard?

As someone who has watched, reported, and walked the streets of Warri, Asaba, Sapele, and beyond, I bring you a grounded but optimistic assessment. Not through the lens of government press releases alone, but through what people can actually see, touch, and feel.

1. Infrastructure Renewal: Roads That Finally Make Sense

For decades, “bad roads” in Delta have been more than a nuisance — they’ve been metaphors for neglect. But in the last two years, major arteries across the state have received attention.

From the completion of the Effurun Roundabout Flyover in Uvwie, which eases one of the most congested traffic points in Warri, to the rehabilitation of the Asaba–Ughelli highway, commuters are beginning to save time, fuel, and their sanity.

I spoke with a tricycle operator in Warri who laughed as he told me, “Na so my keke dey spoil every week before. But now e don reduce. Government try small.” It’s not perfection, but it’s progress.

SEO Insight: Delta State infrastructure, Warri flyover, Ughelli highway roads are keywords many Nigerians and diasporans search for when evaluating governance back home.

2. Education: From Lip Service to Tangible Investments

Delta State has historically prided itself as a state of intellectuals. But in recent years, the crumbling conditions of public schools threatened that legacy. The past two years have seen the government push resources into renovating primary and secondary schools, providing learning materials, and expanding Delta State University campuses.

Most notably, the establishment of three new universities in 2021 (although groundwork predates two years, their roll-out has matured now) continues to create access. Parents no longer have to fight over limited slots in one or two institutions.

During a visit to Abraka, a lecturer told me, “Before, our facilities were overwhelmed. Now, the newer universities are absorbing pressure. Students are happier, lecturers can breathe.”

This deliberate expansion speaks to a vision of nurturing human capital for the next decade.

3. Healthcare: A Slow but Visible Shift

If COVID-19 taught us anything, it’s that health is not negotiable. The Delta State Government has in the last two years embarked on upgrading health facilities like the Asaba Specialist Hospital, equipping them with diagnostic centers, and improving maternal care.

Rural health outreach programs are also gaining traction. While challenges remain — particularly in staffing and consistency — there is a sense that at least the foundation is being laid for stronger healthcare.

A young mother in Oleh summed it up: “Before, to check my baby’s fever I must go Benin. Now at least Warri Central can handle some tests. Na big relief.”

4. Youth Empowerment & Job Creation

This is perhaps the most visible area of pride. The government has doubled down on skills acquisition programs, particularly under the STEP (Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Program) and YAGEP (Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program).

Thousands of young Deltans have been trained in ICT, agriculture, fashion, and small-scale manufacturing. Unlike past initiatives that ended as photo ops, some participants are now employers of labour.

Take the story of Tega, a young lady from Ughelli, who went through the fashion design program. Two years later, she runs a small tailoring shop with three apprentices. She told me proudly, “Government no just dash me fish, them give me hook. Now I dey feed myself.”

This focus on youth is not just a policy win — it’s a survival strategy for a state where unemployment and underemployment remain national challenges.

5. Sports Development: Harnessing Talent

Delta has always been Nigeria’s powerhouse in athletics. The last two years have seen deliberate government support for sports infrastructure and talent grooming.

Delta hosted the 21st National Sports Festival in 2022 and came out on top with the highest medal haul. That was not by accident. Investments in stadium facilities, athlete welfare, and grassroots scouting paid off.

For many young athletes, this is more than glory — it’s opportunity. A sprinter from Sapele told me, “Delta no dey carry last. Government dey push us well.”

6. Peace and Security: Fragile but Improving

Delta’s oil wealth has long been both a blessing and a curse, with militancy and agitation shaping its narrative. The last two years have seen increased collaboration between the government, security agencies, and community leaders to manage tensions.

While challenges persist, particularly in riverine areas, there has been a relative stability that allowed businesses and social life to thrive.

Warri nightclubs, once ghosted during peak crisis years, now buzz again. Investors, while cautious, are beginning to return.

7. Urban Renewal & Environment

From beautification projects in Asaba and Warri to drainage systems aimed at tackling perennial flooding, the government has made visible efforts in urban renewal.

Residents of Asaba speak of the city’s evolving skyline — from a small capital to a more cosmopolitan hub with modern malls, road networks, and nightlife.

Environmental projects, particularly in flood-prone areas, are still ongoing but represent a needed step in preparing for climate change realities.

Conclusion: Pride with Room for Growth

So, what can the Delta State Government be proud of in the last two years? Roads that are drivable. Schools that inspire learning. Hospitals that reduce anxiety. Programs that give youths hope. Medals that prove talent. And peace that, though fragile, allows life to bloom again.

But pride must not blind leadership. For every achievement, there are still challenges: rural poverty, lingering unemployment, oil spill devastation, and the eternal question of equitable development across ethnic nationalities.

As a reporter and son of Delta soil, I must say this: the progress is real, but the journey is far from over.

By Omasanjuwa Ogharandukun,

Reporting for FastInfo Magazine