Banner Online News

By Marian Kogolo

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu has stated that the state would not mismanage its inherited lands from the old Bendel State on the altar of sentiments.

The Commissioner stated this on Monday, February 3, 2025 while briefing the press at the Prof Chike Edozien Secretariat, Asaba.

He said the briefing became necessary to inform Deltans of the reasons behind the recent award given to the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

He said the reasons for the vigorous on-the-spot inspections carried out by the governor on all on going projects, the need to caution those that had grabbed government land and to intimate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of happenings in the state were other reasons for the briefing.

Aniagwu stated that the state government had taken another decisive decision on government land grabbers across the state as he reeled out possible punishment for anyone found wanting, pointing out  that, henceforth, anybody caught in the act would not only suffer the loss of their properties but would pay for all logistics expended during the course of the demolition exercise.

On the award given to the governor, the Commissioner said it was based on the governor’s prudent and effective management of the state’s resources which led to the completion of inherited projects and initiated projects and other ongoing projects across the state, adding that the present administration has not borrowed a dime to execute these projects.

Also, Aniagwu informed Deltans that the state government had reviewed the previous allocation of N1 bn to N2.1 bn to each local government area for road construction.

To ensure that Deltans get value for money spent, the Commissioner said the governor had directed all Commissioners and heads of agencies supervising projects to embark on rigorous inspection of projects under their purview or face the consequences.

In response to the accusation of Omo-Agege that the governor had neglected the Ndokwa nation, Aniagwu informed the press that the governor had completed over 15km of roads and has completed the Beneku bridge leading to the abandonment of Pontoon as a means of transportation, noting that several roads had been constructed in Ndokwa nation, while a lot more were under construction.

He maintained that the sterling performance of the governor had become a problem to the opposition, adding that the governor is focused on governance and not politicking for now.

Speaking on projects, the Commissioner listed the construction of bridges in the Warri area as legacy Projects of the present administration.

He mentioned other projects ongoing and completed to include the High Court Complex, Asaba, purchase of operation vehicles for security agencies and Judges, rehabilitation of 150 health centres across the state, equipment of the general hospital at Warri and Specialist hospital, Oghara.

Other projects mentioned included the construction of storm drainages at Owa-Alero, Asaba and Ugolo Okpe, provision of five billion to offsets civil servants’ promotion arrears and construction of projects across the state-owned higher institutions, just to mention a few.

On human capital development, the information boss stated that through the ministries of Economic Planning, Girl Child and Humanitarian and Women Affairs, the present administration had empowered Deltans.

Speaking further, Aniagwu stated that the Ayakoromo bridge has not been abandoned, rather it was put on hold due to the contractor’s demand for an upward review which, according to the Commissioner, was being considered.