Asaba: The Delta Government on Tuesday approved a sum of N230 billion for the execution of projects in various sectors, including roads, health, education, electricity, and others, spread across the three senatorial districts.
The state government, in its bid to ensure equity and even development, also approved the award of the N59 billion Uromi Junction Flyover project in Ika North East Local Government Area to Construction Giant Julius Berger Construction Company.
The State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, while briefing reporters in Asaba, stated that it was part of the State Executive Council’s decision made at the meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Government House.
He also stated that the council approved the construction of another Flyover at the Otouwodo end along the Asaba-Ughelli road for N39.3 billion.
Aniagwu was flanked by Commissioners for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr Ruben Izeze; Health, Dr Joseph Onojame; Riverine
Infrastructure, Mr Ebikeme Clark and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon.
Aniagwu, who described the approvals as mind-blowing, said the state government also approved the termination of some contracts that were not performing, making way for benefiting communities to receive full value for the contracts if they had performed.
He stated that the government also approved the payment of retirement benefits to the Staff of Delta State University, at a cost of approximately N1.2 billion for no fewer than 132 beneficiaries.
According to the commissioner, some of the repudiated contracts were awarded since 2013.
“Today, the state executive council approved about N230 billion to cover projects in various sectors; roads, education, health, electricity and other safety nets across the state,” he said.
Aniagwu stated that the government has approved the construction of the Koloko-Tissu Road in Warri North LGA and also reappraised and approved the rehabilitation and construction of Bomadi Gbarigolor Road for N4.4 billion.
He said other roads approved for construction, rehabilitation, and completion include Bulu-angiama Road, which is off the Patani Expressway, for N5.1 billion.
“The council approved for the construction and completion of Ituru Road in Elumeh, between Okpe and Sapele axis, at N5 billion,” he said.
The commissioner stated that the state government, in its bid to equip certain General Hospitals in collaboration with the Federal Government, approved the acquisition of medical equipment worth approximately N7.1 billion.
He said the government also approved a sum of N10 billion as compensation for the land along the passageway to the Second Niger Bridge, starting from the Asaba-Onitsah-Benin Expressway, to enhance the speedy completion of the 17.5 kilometres along the corridor by the Federal Government.
The commissioner said N2.1 billion was approved for the
completion of the construction of Onovou Community Road from the Benin Expressway.
According to Aniagwu, the government approved the construction of internal roads in the College of Education, Mosugar, at the cost of N1.6 billion.
“Also, the construction of an internal road in Esuala, Warri South West LGA, and the reconstruction and asphalt overlay of Emu-Obodeti, Abbey/Abraka Road, at the cost of N2.6 billion.
The internal roads in Camp Two in Warri South, for N1.05 billion. While the construction of the access road leading to Model Technical College, Obiaruku, Nkwuani LGA, at about one billion naira,” Aniagwu said.
He stated that the flood control measures in Agbor would cost approximately N15.3 billion. The completion and construction of the Olikiliki Layout Road in Asaba were estimated to cost N1.4 billion.
“The construction of dual carriageway Sapele Road, in Effurun, is to gulp about N35 billion.”
Aniagwu stated that the government has approved a sum of N1.6 billion for the construction of Oko Amakom, Oko Obiakpom, and Oko Anala Roads. In contrast, the construction of Okwa Crescent is estimated to cost approximately N318 million.
The commissioner stated that to address the flooding challenge in the Summit area of Asaba, the council approved the construction of flood control measures along it for N5.6 billion.
Angigwu said: “The big one is the designing and construction of the Flyover at Uromi Junction, Agbor in Ika North East Area at a cost of N59 billion.
“There is also going to be another flyover along Asaba-Ughelli at Otouwodo to cost N39.3 billion, and then the government approved the construction of Akujeba-Merije Road to cost N4.4 billion.”
On his part, the State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Mr Ruben Izeze, described the Agbor Flyover as a game-changer and a promise kept by Gov. Oborevwori to the people of Delta.
According to Izeze, the project will boost the economy, Agbor and the environment will undergo a new transformation, and the governor will have also kept his promise to serve all Deltans as their governor.
“There are going to be two roundabouts, and the project is going to cost the state N59 billion. The reason is that the bims on this project, unlike those in the Warri axis, which are about 20 meters, are going to be 30 meters.
“So, there is a bridge springing up in Delta North, one in Delta Central, and another in Delta South, all being constructed by Julius Berger. I can assure you that every kobo is worth it.
“The bridge will solve the problems of repeated accidents at that junction and enhance the productivity of the people who are predominantly farmers,” Izeze said.
