Questions have emerged over the reported repayment of N400 billion out of the N465 billion loan allegedly incurred by the Delta State Government, with concerned residents demanding transparency over who obtained the loans and how the funds were utilised.
The controversy followed claims that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had cleared a substantial portion of the outstanding debt, prompting Hon. Chief Dr. Miracle Wilson Vasilakis and other concerned Deltans to question the circumstances surrounding the borrowing and subsequent repayment.
The concerned residents urged the state government to provide a detailed account of the loans, particularly the administrations responsible for securing them, the projects or purposes for which the funds were obtained, and the beneficiaries of the borrowed money.
They maintained that Deltans deserve to know how public funds were utilised, insisting that the reported repayment of N400 billion should be accompanied by adequate explanations and accountability.
The issue has generated reactions on social media, with several residents expressing support for calls for transparency, while others questioned the rationale behind celebrating the repayment without first establishing how the original loans were spent.
One commenter asked, “Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who took the loan and for what?”
Another resident questioned the beneficiaries of the repayment, asking: “And who was this N400bn paid to?”
A social media user also argued that the state needed to explain how the borrowed funds were utilised, saying Deltans deserved to know what the loans achieved.
Others linked the controversy to the state’s economic potential, arguing that Delta, despite its status as one of Nigeria’s major oil-producing states, should have more industries and employment opportunities.
One commenter lamented the absence of major manufacturing industries, including plastic, tyre, cosmetics, wine and beverage factories, as well as water production companies, arguing that effective management of the state’s resources could help address unemployment.
Another resident questioned why the government was being applauded for repaying debts without sufficient public information about the original borrowing and its utilisation.
However, not all reactions were critical of the repayment. One commenter argued that the current administration should not be held responsible for loans obtained by previous administrations, suggesting that questions about the borrowing should be directed at those who incurred the debts.
Another contributor asked whether the repayment itself was the issue, highlighting differing opinions among residents over the government’s reported debt clearance.
Hon. Chief Dr. Miracle Wilson Vasilakis was also commended by some social media users for raising the issue, with supporters describing the demand for accountability as necessary for responsible governance.
The growing debate has renewed calls for the Delta State Government to provide a comprehensive breakdown of the reported N465 billion loan, including the administrations that secured it, the purposes for which it was obtained, the projects executed with the funds and the details of the reported N400 billion repayment.
As reactions continue, concerned Deltans insist that transparency and accountability remain essential in the management of the state’s resources.
