The Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Olorogun Jaro Movudu Egbo, has responded to the transparency demands raised by the New Order Movement (NOM), highlighting a number of infrastructure and development projects executed or ongoing under his administration across the local government.
NOM had called on the council chairman to provide greater transparency and accountability on the utilisation of funds allocated to Ughelli North in 2026, particularly against the backdrop of the local government’s reported ₦18.29 billion budget.
The group had also demanded a detailed account of allocations received by the council, an update on projects being executed and greater engagement with stakeholders, insisting that residents deserved to see tangible benefits from public resources.
Responding to the concerns, Egbo pointed to what his administration described as “visible and measurable” achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, security, education, electricity, environmental sanitation and staff welfare.
According to him, the interventions are being implemented in line with the M.O.R.E. Agenda of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.
One of the major projects highlighted by the chairman is the ongoing construction of an ultra-modern Ughelli North Local Government Secretariat Complex, designed to improve administrative efficiency and provide a conducive working environment for council workers.
He also noted that the construction of a modern gatehouse for the secretariat was nearing completion, while the Legislative Assembly Complex had been rehabilitated with executive furniture, modern cooling systems and dedicated electricity supply.
In the health sector, Egbo’s administration highlighted the ongoing construction of the Tobore Oborevwori Cottage Hospital and Maternal Health Centre, which is expected to include doctors’ and nurses’ quarters.
The council said the facility was part of efforts to improve access to quality healthcare services within the local government.
The administration also cited the development of organised multi-storey market stalls for traders and the construction of the Ughelli Court dual-court complex as part of its interventions to support commerce and strengthen access to justice.
On road infrastructure, the council disclosed that rehabilitation of the long-neglected Post Office Road was ongoing, involving concrete and asphalt overlay as well as improved drainage around the Ughelli High Court.
The chairman also highlighted interventions in the power sector, saying three 11/33 KVA transformers had been procured and installed in strategic communities to improve electricity supply.
Power was also restored to the council secretariat through extensive electrical rewiring, while solar energy systems, including daytime solar panels and solar-powered streetlights, were deployed, according to the council.
On security, Egbo said collaboration with security agencies had helped improve safety along previously troubled sections of the East-West Highway.
The council stated that security operations around the Ogor, Evwreni and Ohoror axis had significantly reduced incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery along the Evwreni-Uwheru and Uvwiamuge-Agbarho corridors.
The administration further disclosed that it donated a fully equipped patrol vehicle to the Police Mobile Force and constructed a new police post to strengthen security operations.
In education, the council said more than 300 school desks, uniforms, textbooks and writing materials had been distributed to pupils in public primary schools.
It added that the administration had partnered with the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to support teacher retraining and classroom rehabilitation.
On environmental sanitation, the council said it carried out extensive desilting and clearing of drainage channels along the East-West Road in Agbarho to reduce flooding, while also reviving the monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
The administration further pointed to improvements in staff welfare, including the settlement of outstanding financial claims and regular welfare incentives for members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).
Several key offices within the council secretariat have also been renovated and furnished, while the council expanded its operational fleet with official vehicles for principal officers, a Toyota Hilux for the Chief Security Officer and an 18-seater bus for the council’s Press Unit.
Assembly Committee, Auditor-General Commend Council
Egbo further stated that the council’s financial records had been subjected to scrutiny by the Delta State House of Assembly Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor-General for Local Governments in the state.
According to him, following the scrutiny of the council’s accounts and financial activities, both the Public Accounts Committee and the Auditor-General for Local Governments commended the council for what they described as prudence and transparency in the management of its finances.
He said the commendations from the statutory oversight bodies further demonstrated his administration’s commitment to accountability and responsible management of public resources.
Egbo said the council had nothing to hide and remained prepared to subject its financial records and activities to appropriate oversight in accordance with the law.
Egbo Alleges NDC-Sponsored Negative Campaign
Egbo also alleged that the New Order Movement’s campaign against his administration was politically motivated, describing it as a negative campaign allegedly sponsored by Omoragbege, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Delta Central.
According to Egbo, the objective of the alleged campaign was to discredit his administration and weaken the political standing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ughelli North ahead of the next general election.
He alleged that those behind the campaign believe that sustained attacks on his administration would erode public support for the APC and create an advantage for the NDC at the polls.
The council chairman, however, said he would not be distracted by what he described as politically motivated attacks, insisting that his administration would continue to focus on projects and programmes capable of improving the lives of residents.
He maintained that the achievements recorded by his administration were visible across various sectors and should speak for themselves, rather than being overshadowed by political campaigns.
The projects and interventions listed by the administration constitute its response to concerns over development and the utilisation of public resources in Ughelli North, with Egbo maintaining that his administration has continued to channel resources into projects and services with direct impact on residents.
Meanwhile, he reaffirmed his commitment to consolidating the achievements recorded so far through sustained investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, youth empowerment and economic development.
Egbo pledged to continue providing transparent, responsive and people-centred governance, with the objective of positioning Ughelli North as a model of grassroots development in Delta State.
