The Delta State Government has ordered an immediate assessment of public primary and secondary schools across the 25 local government areas of the state ahead of a major rehabilitation and reconstruction programme.
The decision was one of the major resolutions reached at Monday’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in Asaba.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting.
Aniagwu said the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education had been directed to inspect schools across the state and identify those requiring repairs or complete reconstruction.
He said the exercise would enable the government to determine the extent of work needed in each school before the projects commence.
“The governor has directed that the two ministries should immediately come up with the scope of these different schools that need to be rehabilitated or reconstructed so that government can immediately proceed to put them in order,” he said.
The commissioner said the intervention was aimed at providing pupils, students and teachers with safer and more conducive environments for learning.
92 housing units approved for medical workers
In the health sector, the council approved the construction of 92 residential units for medical personnel at the Osubi Specialist Hospital.
Aniagwu said 24 of the units would be for resident doctors, while 68 would be provided for house officers.
He said the project was designed to improve the welfare of healthcare workers and provide better living conditions for medical personnel serving at the hospital.
The council also approved the completion of the storm drainage project around the Specialist Hospital in Asaba to address flooding in the area.
It equally approved the reconstruction of internal roads at Warri Central Hospital to improve access for patients, healthcare workers and visitors.
Delta approves N7bn Ezhionum-Ogume Road
The government also approved the reconstruction of the 9.35-kilometre Ezhionum-Ogume Road in Ndokwa West Local Government Area at an estimated cost of more than N7bn.
Aniagwu said the project would improve connectivity between rural communities, make transportation easier and encourage economic activities in the area.
Other road projects approved by the council included the reconstruction of Uba Egbelemeji-Ugbenikoko Road in Warri North, the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Mosogar Community Road Junction-Okwueka Road and the reconstruction of the Old Oviorie-Agbarho-Eku Road.
More quarters for permanent secretaries, lawmakers
As part of efforts to improve workers’ welfare, the council also approved the construction of 12 additional duplexes for permanent secretaries.
Aniagwu recalled that the administration had recently commissioned residential quarters for permanent secretaries and provided official vehicles for them.
He also disclosed that the state government was preparing a proposal, which would require legislation, for the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants.
He described the proposed payment as a reward for workers’ dedication and contribution to the development of the state.
The council further approved residential quarters for additional members of the State House of Assembly following the increase in the number of constituencies from 29 to 38.
The increase will bring nine additional lawmakers into the Assembly.
Aniagwu said Governor Oborevwori had directed the Ministry of Housing to begin the process of providing accommodation for the incoming legislators before they assume office.
The commissioner also announced the termination of some contracts over poor performance.
He said the affected contracts were terminated following recommendations by the State Tenders Board after the contractors failed to execute the projects at the expected pace.
Among the contracts terminated were the Okerenkoko Township Road, the construction of Adjei Street and School Road with interlocking stones at a new layout in Warri South, and the permanent office complex for the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission.
Aniagwu said the termination would allow the government to begin fresh procurement processes and award the projects to contractors with the capacity to complete them.
He said the decision was aimed at ensuring that public projects were delivered on schedule and preventing government funds from being tied down in abandoned or poorly executed projects.
The commissioner said the various approvals reflected the administration’s focus on improving education, healthcare, workers’ welfare, rural connectivity and public infrastructure across Delta State.
