By Ifeanyi Olannye
Delta Government on Tuesday approved the sum of N230 billion for projects execution in various sectors; roads, health, education, electricity and others, spreading 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 in Ika North East Local Government Area to Construction Giants, Julius Berger Construction Company.
The State Commissioner for Works(Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, while briefing newsmen in Asaba, said it was part of the State Executive Council decision at the meeting presided over by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori in Government House.
He also said that the council approved the construction of another Flyover at the Otouwodo end along Asaba-Ughilli at the cost 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 to make way for benefiting communities to get full value for the contracts if they had performed.
He said that government also approved the payment of retirement benefits to Staff of the Delta State University to cost about 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 said that government approved the construction of Koloko-Tissu Road, in Warri North LGA and also reappraised and approved rehabilitation and construction of Bomadi Gbarigolor Road at the cost of N4.4 billion.
He said other roads approved for construction, rehabilitation and completion include Bulu-angiama Road that T’s off from the Patani Expressway at the cost of N5.1 billion.
“The council approved for construction and completion of Ituru Road in Elumeh, between Okpe and Sapele axis, at N5 billion,” he said.
The commissioner said the state government in its bid to equip certain General Hospitals in collaboration with the Federal Government, approved the acquisition of some medical equipment at about N7.1 billion.
He said government also approved the sum of N10 billion as compensation for the land along the passageway to the Second Niger Bridge, starting from Asaba-Onitsah-Benin Expressway to enhance speedy completion of the 17.5 kilometers along the corridor by the Federal Government.
The commissioner said N2.1 billion was approved for the
completion of construction of Onovou Community Road from the Benin Expressway.
According to Aniagwu, government approved the construction of internal roads in College of Education, Mosugar, at the const of N1.6 billion.
“Also, the construction of 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 access road leading to Model Technical College, Obiaruku, Nkwuani LGA at about one billion naira,” Aniagwu said.
He said the flood controle measures in Agbor, would cost about N15.3 billion. While the completion and construction of the Olikiliki Layout Road, in Asaba, was estimated at the cost N1.4 billion.
“The construction of dual carriageway Sapele Road, in Effurun is to gulp about N35 billion.”
Aniagwu said government approved the sum of N1.6 billion for construction of Oko Amakom, Oko Obiakpom and Oko Anala Road, while the construction of Okwa Crescent would cost about N318 million.
The commissioner said in order to address the flooding challenge at Summit area in Asaba , the council approved the construction of flood control measures along it at the cost N5.6 billion.
Angigwu said: “The big one is the designing and construction of 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 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 the 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 environ will wear a new look and the governor would have also kept his promise to be governor to all Deltans.
“There is 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 the ones in Warri axis that is about 20 meters, these ones 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.
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