Delta Government Pays N600 Million for 2024 SDGs Cycle, Awaits Federal Counterpart Funding
By Chukwudi Asoya
The Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has released N600 million as its counterpart funding for the 2024 cycle of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This was disclosed by the Director-General of the Delta State Directorate of SDGs, Chief Daniel Ivwighren, during a two-day capacity-building workshop for staff in Asaba.
Speaking to journalists after declaring the workshop open, Chief Ivwighren explained that the state has fulfilled its financial obligations since February, but the federal government is yet to release its 50% counterpart funding for the implementation of SDG projects in the state.
Ivwighren highlighted the goals of the SDGs, which include eradicating poverty, promoting quality education, and ensuring gender equality. He noted that the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs in 2015, initiated by the United Nations and other global stakeholders, set the framework for ongoing development efforts.
The Director-General also emphasized the state government’s commitment to sustainable development and urged the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs to ensure that the federal government fulfills its financial obligations, enabling Delta State to begin project implementation.
In his remarks, the State Director of SDGs, Mr. Ebregha Areweremi, said the training aimed to equip participants with new techniques to enhance productivity. He emphasized that the SDGs projects, particularly in the areas of health, education, environment, and renewable energy, are designed to improve the lives of citizens. He also lauded the achievements of the SDGs office from the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to the current leadership of Governor Oborevwori.
Areweremi added that efforts were ongoing to ensure the federal government adheres to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for counterpart funding. He encouraged participants to take the training seriously, as it would boost their capacity for effective project management and implementation.
Several officials, including the Director of Administration, Mr. Samuel Okonye, and the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs. Evelyn Enaohwo, delivered lectures on civil service rules, public sector accounting, financial statement analysis, project cycle design, and the monitoring and evaluation of SDG programs.
