Governor Ifeanyi Okowa says the state government has earmarked N111.4 billion for Delta’s work ministry to undertake infrastructural development in 2023.

Mr Okowa disclosed this when he presented the 2023 budget of N561.8 billion to the House of Assembly on Thursday in Asaba. He said his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development was unwavering.

The governor explained that critical projects such as the multibillion-naira Orere Bridge and Access Road in Ughelli South local government area, Trans Warri-Ode Itsekiri bridges and Access Road Phase 1, Kwale-Beneku Bridge and Ayakoromor bridge would receive priority attention.

The governor also mentioned that he would complete the projects before leaving office in May 2023. According to Mr Okowa, the contract for the Ayakoromor bridge has been awarded to a new contractor.

“The dualisation of Ughelli-Asaba Road (sectors A and C2) is also expected to be completed next year. Coming on stream in the 2023 fiscal year is (the) Okpanam bypass, linking Okpanam to Benin-Asaba Expressway,” said the Delta governor. “The Koka flyover and interchange, another flagship project of this administration, will be ready for inauguration in January next year. Work on the project was temporarily stalled due to the recent flooding of the underpass.”

Mr Okowa also said his administration had 883 ongoing and completed road projects covering 1,932.14km of roads and drainage channels with a cumulative length of 1,035.95km in the last seven years.

“Fifteen bridges are currently under construction across the state.

“Among those already completed are the Ovwor/Effurun bridge, Oha/Orerokpe/Oviore bridge, Agbarho/Orherhe bridge, as well as bridges at rail crossing in Boji-Boji Urban,” the governor explained.

He added, “Regrettably, we had to repudiate the multi-billion naira contract for the construction of Ayakoromo Bridge in (the) Burutu local government area owing to non-performance by the contractor.”

(NAN)