Delta government spent N886.9 billion on 912 projects in eight years: Commissioner
The Delta Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads), Charles Aniagwu, says the state government handled 912 projects with N886.9 billion between May 2015 and November 2023.
Mr Aniagwu stated this on behalf of his counterpart in the Ministry of Works (Highways and Urban), Reuben Izeze, during the 2024 budget defence meeting with the state House of Assembly Committee on Works on Tuesday in Asaba.
”The projects include 2,146.45 kilometres of roads and 1,251.80 kilometres of drainage channels.
”The balance required to complete all the projects undertaken is N389.3 billion.
”It is noteworthy to mention that the ministry has projects in all 25 local government areas of the state,” he said.
The commissioner also said the ministry proposes N150 billion for capital expenditure in 2024.
He added that the total recurrent expenditure proposal for the ministry was N595.4 billion, as against N386.1 billion in the 2023 approved budget.
Mr Aniagwu explained that the essence of the increment was to accommodate the proposed new minimum wage and that the ministry operates with two commissioners.
The commissioner also said the capital budget proposal of the ministry had been deliberately channelled towards the completion of ongoing projects and the actualisation of the ”MORE agenda” of the present administration.
According to him, the road projects in the state’s three senatorial districts will be vigorously pursued to completion.
He, however, listed galloping inflation, a steep decline in the value of the naira, and an unpredictable construction season due to global warming and funding as major challenges faced by the ministry.
Responding, the committee chairman, Oboro Preyor, said the budget defence was geared towards transparency, which would help to strengthen electioneering promises to the state’s people.
The Direct Labour Agency (DLA) also appeared before the committee to present its 2024 budget proposal.
DLA’s director-general said the agency is proposing N2 billion for the construction and maintenance of roads in the state.
(NAN)
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