Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, is steering the oil-rich South-South Nigerian state onto a path of global relevance and domestic transformation.

In a strategic move that combines international diplomacy with grassroots development, the governor recently represented Delta State at the prestigious 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum (IIICF) held in Macau, China, while simultaneously highlighting monumental strides in the state’s oil and gas sector.

At the IIICF, an annual forum considered the most influential event in the global infrastructure space, Governor Oborevwori, joined by his Taraba counterpart, Kefas Agbu, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with world leaders, high-level policy makers, and industry giants. His presence was a declaration that Delta State was no longer content with playing a passive role in development discourse; it is ready to compete, collaborate, and contribute on a global scale.

Accompanied by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, and his Technical Assistant, Bob Nakpodia, the governor used the opportunity to highlight Delta’s commitment to building sustainable, high-quality infrastructure aligned with global standards.

The IIICF attracts more than 3,500 delegates annually from over 70 countries, including ministerial delegations, financial institutions, engineering contractors, equipment manufacturers, consultants, and design firms. Governor Oborevwori’s attendance at such a globally significant event illustrates a growing ambition to leverage international partnerships for the benefit of Delta’s development agenda.

In his address at the forum, Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s focus on infrastructural renewal and economic revitalisation. He emphasised the need for international investment in Delta’s infrastructure landscape, stating that his government was ready to embrace innovative solutions, cutting-edge technologies, and cross-border cooperation to accelerate the pace of development in the state.

“We are in Macao to send a clear message: Delta is open for business,” the governor said. “Our infrastructure blueprint is not just about building roads or bridges; it is about building the future. We are committed to projects that will improve quality of life, drive economic prosperity, and protect our environment for generations to come.”

This vision, anchored on pragmatism and openness, resonated well with participants at the forum. By showcasing Delta’s readiness to partner with global stakeholders, Oborevwori not only elevated the state’s international profile but also laid the groundwork for future collaboration that could see Delta tapping into billions of dollars in infrastructure financing and technical support.

Yet, the governor’s focus on international exposure has not distracted him from the pressing developmental needs at home. On the domestic front, particularly in the vital oil and gas sector, his administration has been making significant progress. In his recent state-of-the-State address at the Delta State House of Assembly delivered in commemoration of his administration’s second anniversary, Oborevwori announced the near-completion of Kuri Well 2, a high-potential oil project located in the Makaraba field area of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area.

Operated by SHN Energy Limited, Kuri Well 2 is expected to be a game-changer for the state’s economy. Once operational, the well will increase oil output and consequently boost revenue for both Delta State and the Nigerian federation. Beyond its fiscal significance, the project also has the potential to improve the socio-economic status of host communities through job creation, increased commercial activity, and improved infrastructure.

“The progress at Kuri Well 2 underscores what we can achieve when the government, investors, and communities work together,” Oborevwori noted. “This is not just an oil well; it is a symbol of what is possible in a new Delta that is driven by peace, innovation, and prosperity,” he added.

His administration’s performance in managing the oil and gas sector is as strategic as it is impactful. One of the most notable achievements is the successful prevention of a planned shutdown at the Otumara Flow Station in OML 42. The shutdown, which could have cost the state 20,000 barrels per day, was averted through timely intervention, showcasing the governor’s diplomatic skill and crisis management acumen.

Furthermore, Governor Oborevwori brokered the peaceful resolution of a decade-long ownership dispute over Well 9 in the Owhe Field, OML 30, involving the Otor-Owhe and Olomoro communities in Isoko North and Isoko South Local Government Areas. His administration also stepped in to de-escalate tensions between the Uzere community and Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited over a proposed Independent Power Plant. The result was a groundbreaking agreement to supply free gas to the plant for the first two years after its commissioning, an arrangement that benefits both the host community and the project developers.

The governor’s success in conflict resolution extends beyond these examples. From helping to stabilise leadership within the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Union (PTDU), to mediating labour disputes between host communities and oil companies, the administration has positioned itself as a reliable arbiter in the often contentious oil and gas sector.

In Udu, Ughelli South, and Ughelli North Local Government Areas, an industrial dispute between host community workers and NPDC/ND Western was resolved in a manner that nearly doubled salaries and significantly improved welfare conditions.

Similarly, in Isoko North LGA, the OML 26 AMT pipeline surveillance dispute involving Jeruvie Nigeria Limited, the Ozoro monarch, and the Ikpide family was amicably resolved, ensuring continuity of critical oil surveillance operations.

Other achievements include successful interventions in the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), particularly in ensuring the establishment of Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs). Notable among these are the agreements reached with the Egbema community in partnership with Chevron Nigeria Limited, and the OML 147 cluster managed by PANOCEAN Nigeria Limited. These trusts are designed to provide sustainable benefits to host communities while maintaining peace and cooperation with oil operators.

Delta’s standing as a secure and investor-friendly state in the Nigerian oil and gas landscape has not gone unnoticed. In 2024, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources named Delta the “Safest State for Oil and Gas Investments in Nigeria,” a recognition that underscores the state government’s commitment to security, transparency, and policy stability.

But Governor Oborevwori’s achievements do not end with oil and infrastructure. He has also taken steps to address a wide range of communal, boundary, and chieftaincy disputes across the state. These efforts reflect a broader agenda of promoting peace and social cohesion, essential ingredients for sustainable development.

Governor Oborevwori’s administration’s dual-pronged strategy of international engagement and domestic reform is setting Delta State on a new trajectory. By showcasing the state’s development vision on the world stage and implementing transformative policies at home, the governor is crafting a governance model that balances ambition with pragmatism.

As Delta State navigates the challenges of modern development, Oborevwori’s leadership stands out as both dynamic and inclusive. His government is not only building roads, oil wells, and partnerships; it is building trust, stability, and a future that all Deltans can believe in.

From Macau to Makaraba, from infrastructure summits to oil-rich creeks, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is writing a new chapter for Delta State, one marked by strategic engagement, decisive leadership, and an unwavering focus on delivering dividends of democracy to the people.