L-R: Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oborevwori, Sir Festus Ahon, & the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, briefing the Press after State Executive Council meeting at Government House Annex, Warri on Monday
By Samuel Ogude & Peter Immaculate
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining project delivery and accelerating infrastructural development across all parts of the state.
The governor made this known on Monday during the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting he presided over at the Government House Annex, Warri.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, who spoke on behalf of the governor, announced that the Executive Council approved a proposed 2027 Appropriation Bill of N1,236,874,981,081 (N1.237 trillion) for transmission to the Delta State House of Assembly.
Aniagwu, who was accompanied by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, said the proposed budget would provide the financial framework for the execution of ongoing projects and new development initiatives across the state in 2027.
He disclosed that the Council also approved several infrastructure projects spanning roads, education, judicial facilities, security and community development, with projects distributed across the three senatorial districts. According to him, the Council approved the reconstruction of the Otor-Udu/Owhrode/Orhuwhorun/Mofor Road, with spurs to Erhiephiyor and Usiefrun in Udu Local Government Area.
In Oshimili North Local Government Area, the Council approved the construction of the Ministry of Works Multi-Purpose Cooperative Road at Okotomi, Okpanam, as well as Savage Onianwa Close, Frederick Osy Osadebe Drive and Professor Dili Ofuokwu Street in Ibusa.
The Council also approved the construction of several roads in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area, including Ennayelugo Crescent with a spur to Bremmy Hotel Street in Bonsac, Pat Manuel Muotoh Street with adjoining spurs and overlay works off Rose Ojeh Street, Dr. Chukwuka Obiora Street and Favour Odogwu Street. Other approved projects in the state capital include Gallant Chi Chi Street, Engr. Fred Ejiofor Street, Obiegbune Street, Professor Sam Osamene Street and the reconstruction of Iseke Road with adjoining spurs in Zappa Community.
Aniagwu further disclosed that the Council approved the construction of the Emevor-Ivrogbor-Orogun Road (Phase III) in Isoko North Local Government Area, the Kolokolo-Tisun Road (Phase II) in Warri North, and a section of the MTN Road from Okirighwire Road to Flourish International School, with a spur to Town Gate Road in Sapele.
In Aniocha South, approvals were granted for the construction of Obi Dr. HRM Ifechukwude Okonjo Street and the Obi Palace Internal Road, the reconstruction of Umu Jeboma and Ogbeokwuni Streets, as well as the maintenance of failed sections of roads within Ogwashi-Uku. The Council also approved the rehabilitation of two kilometres on both sides of the Benin-Asaba Expressway at Ubulu-Okiti and the construction of Ewere Street through Isimi Road from Area Five Junction to Second Powerline Road in Boji-Boji Owa.
Aniagwu said the Council approved a reduction in the completion period for the reconstruction of the PTI-Eku Road from Chainage 3+600 to Ugolo Junction in Okpe Local Government Area, reducing the project timeline from 12 months to seven months. Similarly, the completion period for Phase II of the Warri Internal Ring Road, covering the section from NPA Gate to the Effurun Flyover Expressway, was reduced from 12 months to eight months.
In the judicial sector, the Executive Council approved the construction of five additional residential houses for judges to improve their welfare and working conditions. The government also ratified the construction of a modern police station with staff quarters at Osubi in Okpe Local Government Area to strengthen security.
In the education sector, the Council ratified the completion of the administrative block of the College of Education, Warri, and approved the installation of standard solar-powered streetlights across the DESOPADEC mandate areas to enhance public lighting and improve community safety. Other approved projects include the rehabilitation of the Old Lagos-Asaba Road in Agbor and the construction of Ighegheidin and Osih Streets in Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East Local Government Area.
Aniagwu said the widespread distribution of the projects reflected Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development across Delta State rather than concentrating development in a few locations. He noted that the Executive Council meeting was deliberately held in Warri to bring government closer to the people outside the state capital.
According to him, the governor believes that residents across the state should experience the presence of government through the decentralisation of official activities and the equitable distribution of development projects. Aniagwu added that despite increasing political activities ahead of future elections, the Oborevwori ‘s administration would remain focused on delivering projects and improving the welfare of Deltans. The briefing ended with an interactive question-and-answer session between the commissioner and journalists.