From Owen Akenzua, Asaba
Delta State Executive Council has approved N230 billion projects across different sectors.
The approvals were disclosed by the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, during a press briefing after the State Executive Council meeting held at the Government House, Asaba, and presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Aniagwu explained that council approved various projects spanning key sectors like health, road infrastructure, energy and riverine development.
He added that it also reviewed and revoked non-performing contracts to ensure that the affected communities receive value for government’s investment.
Among the major approvals was the design and construction of a flyover at Uromi Junction in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, at the cost of N59.7 billion, and the design and construction of another flyover along Ughelli/Patani (East-West) Highway at Otovwodo Junction, Ughelli, for N39.3 billion.
Other projects approved at the meeting include the construction of Kolokolo to Tisun road in Warri North, payment of retirement and death benefits to staff of Delta State University, Abraka and the rehabilitation of Bomadi-Gbaregolor road.
Also approved were the completion of Bulu-Angiama Road, off Ughelli/Patani Expressway in Patani, and the completion of Ituru Road in Elume, Sapele Local Government Area.
Council also approved N1.05 billion for projects in Warri South-West Local Government Area under the Directorate of Riverine Infrastructure Development and the construction of access roads leading to Model Technical College in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area (Phase II).
Flood control works from Orikeze Avenue Junction through Obi, Enuma and Uromi Roads to Orogodo River in Ika South were approved at the cost of N15.3 billion, alongside the completion of Olikili Layout roads in Asaba, Oshimili South Local Government Area.
The reconstruction of the dual carriageway on Warri-Sapele road from Spare Parts Market U-turn in Effurun to Ohorhe Junction before Ometan Bridge in Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Areas also received approval.
Council equally approved the construction of Oko-Amakom to Oko-Obiokpu, Oko-Anala and Oko-Obgele Road (Phase II) in Oshimili South, as well as Okowa Crescent in Ughelli, off Ughelli-Patani Expressway.
Flood control projects were approved for Summit Road, Newell Street and the surrounding areas in Oshimili South Local Government Area.
It adopted the Delta State Electricity Policy as presented by the Commissioner for Energy, as well as ratified Governor Oborevwori’s earlier approval for the transfer of the General Hospital, Otor-Udu, to the federal government, paving the way for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Owvian, Udu Local Government Area.
In order to strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery, approval was granted for the procurement and installation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, machines at Asaba Specialist Hospital, Central Hospital Warri and Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara.
In relation to the construction of the Second Niger Bridge access road and bypass traversing Oko, Asaba, Ibusa and Okpanam, council approved N10 billion compensation for landowners affected by the right-of-way acquisition.
Approval was also granted for the completion of Unoghovo Community Road linking Benin Expressway to Ovade in Ethiope West Local Government Area, and for the construction of internal roads at the College of Education, Mosogar (Phase II).
In Warri South-West, it approved internal roads in Jagbala and Kantu communities. It also gave nod for the reconstruction and asphalt overlay of Emu-Obodeti to Abbi to Abraka road from Emu-Obodeti Junction in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
Providing clarity on Agbor flyover, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze described it as a bold and strategic intervention.
He explained that the junction had historically been prone to fatal road accidents, especially involving night travelers commuting to Abuja.
