The Delta State Government has approved a massive rehabilitation and reconstruction work in primary and secondary schools across the state, with the job expected to commence in the coming weeks.
The decision was among the major resolutions reached at Monday’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education had been directed to immediately assess schools across the state’s 25 local government areas and identify the ones requiring rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.
He said the intervention was aimed at providing pupils, students and teachers with safer and more conducive environments for teaching and learning.
“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,” Aniagwu said.
The commissioner said the decision formed part of the administration’s broader commitment to improving public infrastructure and delivering visible projects across the state.
Also, Exco moved to boost workers’ welfare, with the approval of the construction of 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries. Aniagwu recalled that the administration recently inaugurated new residential quarters for Permanent Secretaries and provided them with official vehicles.
The commissioner also disclosed that the state government was working on a proposal, to be backed by 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 also approved additional residential quarters for members of the Delta State House of Assembly, following the increase in the number of constituencies from 29 to 38. The development will bring nine additional lawmakers into the Assembly.
Aniagwu said Governor Oborevwori had directed the Ministry of Housing to commence the process of providing accommodation for the incoming legislators ahead of their assumption of office.
Aniagwu also announced approval for the construction of 92 residential quarters for medical personnel at the Osubi Specialist Hospital, adding that the accommodation comprises 24 units for resident doctors and 68 units for house officers.
He said the project was part of the administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of healthcare workers and provide better working conditions at the facility.
Aniagwu said Council also approved the reconstruction of the 9.35-kilometre Ezhionum–Ogume Road at an estimated cost of more than N7 billion, saying the project would open up rural communities, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities in the area.
Other road projects approved include; the reconstruction of Uba Egbelemeji–Ugbenikoko Road in Warri North; rehabilitation and reconstruction of Mosogar Community Road Junction–Okwueka Road; and reconstruction of the Old Oviorie–Agbarho–Eku Road.
To tackle flooding around the Specialist Hospital in Asaba, the Council according to Aniagwu, approved the completion of the storm drainage project around the facility.
Similarly, the government approved the reconstruction of internal roads at Warri Central Hospital to improve access and movement for patients, healthcare workers and visitors.
Speaking further, he said Exco equally approved the termination of some contracts over poor performance, adding that the affected contracts were terminated following recommendations by the State Tenders Board after the contractors failed to deliver the projects at the expected pace.
Among the contracts terminated were; the Okerenkoko Township Road; 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 (DSIEC).
He said the termination would allow the government to commence fresh procurement processes and re-award the projects to contractors with the capacity to deliver them.
Aniagwu said the decisions underscored the administration’s determination to ensure timely delivery of public projects and prevent taxpayers’ money from being tied down in abandoned or poorly executed projects.
He listed the massive school rehabilitation programme, additional accommodation for Permanent Secretaries, lawmakers’ quarters and major road projects among the key decisions taken at the Executive Council meeting.
