By Sam Ugochukwu
As Delta State marks its 35th anniversary, the African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Engr. Isaac Eshor, has congratulated the people of the state while raising concerns over what he described as the slow pace of development despite the state’s enormous financial resources.
In a statement commemorating the anniversary, Eshor said the occasion should be more than a celebration, urging Deltans to use the milestone as an opportunity to assess the state’s development record, infrastructure growth, and the welfare of its citizens.
According to him, many communities across Delta State continue to face challenges such as poor road networks, inadequate healthcare services, limited access to potable water, unstable electricity supply, unemployment, and shortcomings in the education sector.
Delta State is 35 years old today, yet many residents are still asking the same painful question: Where is the development? Eshor stated.
The AAC flagbearer noted that numerous rural communities remain without basic social amenities, while many public schools still operate under difficult conditions marked by dilapidated infrastructure and inadequate learning facilities.
Our rural communities are still without roads, clean water and stable electricity. Many teachers work under unconducive conditions, and numerous schools are in urgent need of improvement. These are issues that should have been addressed long ago, especially considering the huge allocations received by the state from the Federal Government, estimated at about ₦4.119 trillion since 2023, excluding internally generated revenue and the 13 per cent derivation fund,” he said.
Eshor argued that conversations about development should transcend partisan politics and focus on accountability, transparency, and responsible management of public resources.
“A state blessed with enormous natural and financial resources should not still be struggling with these challenges after 35 years. The issue is not the absence of funds; the bigger question is how those resources have been managed over the years,” he added.
He stressed that the anniversary should encourage both government officials and citizens to evaluate the impact of public spending on communities and ensure that development projects translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Deltans deserve more than political rhetoric, ceremonies and promises. They deserve visible evidence of their collective wealth through quality infrastructure, better schools, functional hospitals and sustainable economic opportunities,Eshor said.
The AAC candidate also questioned why successive administrations had not fully harnessed Delta State’s maritime and coastal advantages through strategic investments in the blue economy, which he believes holds significant potential for job creation and economic expansion.
For 35 years, Delta State has remained richly endowed with aquatic and maritime resources, yet we have not maximized the opportunities available in the blue economy. This is an area that can create jobs, attract investment and transform our economy, he noted.
While acknowledging that some progress has been recorded since the state’s creation in 1991, Eshor maintained that much more remains to be done to meet the aspirations of the people.
Deltans want to feel the impact of government policies in their daily lives. The true measure of development is not the number of projects announced but the extent to which those projects improve living conditions for ordinary citizens, he stated.
Reaffirming his confidence in the state’s potential, Eshor said Delta possesses the human and natural resources needed to become one of Nigeria’s most prosperous states if properly managed.
He therefore called for greater transparency, accountability and people-centred governance, insisting that the 35th anniversary should serve as a reminder of both the state’s achievements and the responsibilities that lie ahead.
As we celebrate Delta at 35, let this also be a moment of serious reflection. The people deserve answers on how public resources have been utilized and how future investments will translate into meaningful development. The ultimate goal should be to build a Delta where every community feels the impact of governance,” he said.
The anniversary celebrations have reignited conversations among residents about infrastructure, economic opportunities and the need for development that reaches communities across Delta State’s three senatorial districts.
For many Deltans, the 35th anniversary represents not only a celebration of the state’s journey since its creation but also a renewed call for accountability, inclusive growth and sustainable development.