The Delta State Government has approved the construction of 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries, 92 residential quarters for medical personnel and a comprehensive rehabilitation and reconstruction programme for primary and secondary schools across the state.
The approvals were among major decisions 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, Charles Aniagwu, said the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education had been directed to immediately assess schools across the 25 local government areas to determine those requiring rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.
He said the intervention was designed to provide safer and more conducive environments for teaching and learning, adding that work was expected to commence in the coming weeks.
On workers’ welfare, Aniagwu said Exco approved 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries, recalling that the administration had recently inaugurated new residential quarters and provided official vehicles for the senior civil servants.
He also disclosed that the government was working on a proposal, to be backed by legislation, for the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants as a reward for their dedication and contribution to the state.
The Council further approved additional residential accommodation for members of the State House of Assembly following the increase in constituencies from 29 to 38, which will bring nine additional lawmakers into the Assembly.
Aniagwu said the Ministry of Housing had been directed to commence the process of providing accommodation for the incoming legislators.
At the Osubi Specialist Hospital, Exco approved 92 residential quarters for medical personnel, comprising 24 units for resident doctors and 68 for house officers.
He said the project was intended to improve healthcare workers’ welfare and working conditions.
The Council also approved the reconstruction of the 9.35-kilometre Ezhionum–Ogume Road at a cost of over N7 billion, alongside several other road projects across the state.
Approved projects include the reconstruction of Uba Egbelemeji–Ugbenikoko Road in Warri North, Mosogar Community Road Junction–Okwueka Road and Old Oviorie–Agbarho–Eku Road.
The government also approved the completion of the storm drainage project around the Specialist Hospital in Asaba and reconstruction of internal roads at Warri Central Hospital.
Meanwhile, Exco approved the termination of some contracts over poor performance, including the Okerenkoko Township Road, Adjei Street and School Road projects in Warri South, and the permanent office complex for the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission.
Aniagwu said the affected projects would undergo fresh procurement processes and be re-awarded to contractors with the capacity to deliver, stressing that the administration would not allow taxpayers’ funds to remain tied down in abandoned or poorly executed projects.
