In governance, paramount among the sundry of objectives in leading a nation, state, or local council, is the ability of those who are tasked with leadership to judiciously and fairly utilise resources in their possession in bringing about a positive transformation of the constituency they govern over. In other words, they need to be able to achieve an acceptable level of development that is desired by the people. This task is not only limited to political leaders who ascend the seat of governance through the ballot, but it is also expected of anyone who has been bestowed with authority—traditionally, religiously, economically, socially, or otherwise.

This important role that development occupies in public affairs is spurred by the fact that people desire a positive change in their immediate environment, a change that, in both the short and the long term, will impact overall on their personal affairs by reducing the cost of living. Also, since humans' appetites are insatiable, this desired development has no end-point, hence the popular saying that "The only thing that is constant in life is change". Even the most developed countries in the world have not taken a break as they are still embarking on more developmental strides.

Back to our dear Delta state, in reflection of the humongous resources accruing to the state from the 13 per cent derivation fund and from the Federal Government monthly allocation, to mention just a few, it is saddening to note that the overall development of the state—in terms of the most basic infrastructures—could best be likened to a state of millipede-like, a rating that is very, very poor for an oil producing state.

One reason for this is that, as has been noticed, the mode of development being pursued in the state tends to lean towards a more personalised agenda as dictated by the sitting governor of the state, rather than the existence of a master plan or blueprint devoid of some personal interference or subjective judgement. What this means is that the sitting governor decides who gets what and which area(s) need(s) what. Trusting the task of development to such a model becomes an autocratic and fallible one.

For instance, there are feelers that Delta Central will get more of infrastructural development projects than other areas of the state because the incumbent governor Sheriff Oborevwori is from that district. It was the same plot during the previous administration of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who hails from Delta North. And if the zone that produces the governor is lucky to have a visionary leader, such a district thrives during the reign of such a governor. The question then becomes: "Is the governor of the state for a particular district or for the state in general?"

Pursuing development in such a biased form has never favoured the physical and economic development of the state. This style of development tends to breed or create enmity and dissention among the people, particularly those who feel or believe they contribute more of the state revenues but are getting little or nothing from the center, a case of the proverbial saying: "Robbing Peter to pay Paul". Also, this type of development approach is not sustainable as every new successor or governor goes back to the drawing board to craft his own development agenda thereby laying to waste previous infrastructural gains. Moreover, this approach towards seeking the overall development of the state tends to narrow down the supposed dividends of democracy to a few as against majority of Deltans who all have equal stakes in the entity. 

Against the backdrop of the above shortcomings, it is pertinent that the development of Delta state should never be politicized for whatever reasons. Deltans who are all equal stakeholders irrespective of their districts—Delta North, Delta Central, or Delta South—are entitled to good governance without any form of bias. And this can be avoided with the crafting of a special development plan for the state. Such a centralised plan will foster unity and create a broader picture in the minds of Deltans rather than the myopic view of the biased development agenda that is currently being pursued.

Such a blueprint should be crafted without bias and its creation should involve inputs from participants across the three districts. Its aim should be directed at the overall development of the state and not a section of it. By this, strategic short and long term economic viable projects should be birthed and spread across the three districts in recognition of their comparative advantages, with milestones and periods of achievements as well as sources of funding for them specified, where possible. General projects such as transport infrastructures like railway and bridges connecting major towns and cities across the states that will spur commerce should also be looked into. The plan should also take into cognizance the siting and location of vital major projects across agriculture, health, education, sports, manufacturing, aviation, security, housing, among other sectors, with the aim to further boost the development of their host environment.

On the aspect of funding, the state government can partner with investors within and outside the state to be involve in the objective execution of projects contained therein. On administrative control, a committee will need to be set up with membership spread equally across the three districts of the state to create a sense of general inclusion. Their job will be to advise and work together with the state government, especially its budget department in order to be able to make funding provisions for existing and new projects in the state's development blueprint.

Such a blueprint on the development of the state will finally lay to rest the biased approach currently at play and will no doubt reinforce citizens' loyalty and build more confidence as well as trust. Asides from giving a clear focus on what need to be done, Delta State is also bound to grow more economically and infrastructural-wise because the risk of deviation from its implementation will be low. The need for such a blueprint cannot be overemphasized. It will help reduce waste of resources as only impactful projects would be birthed and financed. Moreover, every part of the state will not be left behind as their collective development will ease governance on the long-run.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Abai Francis is the Brand Director and Chief Executive Officer of PENGlobal Associates Limited, PAL, with operational office in Warri, Delta State. 08037449157.