The Director-General of the Delta State Direct Labour Agency (DLA), Hon. Chief Engr. Emmanuel Ighomena has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to improving road maintenance across the state. This was conveyed during an interaction with journalists after presenting and defending the agency’s proposed 2025 budget before the Interministerial Budget Committee of the Ministry of Economic Planning. The event took place at the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat in Asaba, the state capital, on Tuesday, October 23, 2024.
Speaking to the press, Chief Engr. Ighomena emphasized the agency’s long-standing role in maintaining and constructing roads across Delta State. “We have come to present our Agency’s 2025 budget, and we have done that very well. Let me use this medium to tell the world that DLA has come back again. DLA has been in existence for the past 25 years because it was established in 1999. It is a government agency responsible for road maintenance and construction, and the government has spent a lot on it across the state,” he said.
Reflecting on the agency’s history, Chief Engr. Ighomena acknowledged the challenges posed by ageing equipment, which has been in use for over two decades. “They bought equipment for DLA, and of course, today, after 25 years, you will agree with me that some of that equipment is old. I want to tell you if you see Julius Berger 25 years ago, the same equipment they used 25 years ago is not the same today,” he noted.
Despite these limitations, he assured that the DLA remains dedicated to its mission. “We will still use what we have to maintain our roads, to patch and repair them while we hope that one day soon, more equipment will be added. But DLA has come to work. We are here to reduce, eliminate, and remove those potholes that destroy our cars. We have come here today; it is a better session and, therefore, a better plan for 2025.”
The Director-General’s remarks indicate a renewed focus on infrastructure improvement, signalling that the agency will continue to address road maintenance challenges while working towards the acquisition of new equipment. As Delta State moves into the next budget year, the DLA aims to deliver a smoother, safer road network for all residents.
