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The Delta State Government has approved a massive rehabilitation and reconstruction programme for primary and secondary schools across the state, alongside major road projects, new residential quarters for top civil servants, lawmakers and medical personnel.

The decisions were among the major resolutions reached at Monday’s meeting of the Delta State Executive Council, presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education had been directed to immediately conduct assessments of schools across the state’s 25 local government areas to identify those requiring rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.

Aniagwu said work on the affected schools was expected to commence in the coming weeks after the ministries submit the scope of the intervention.

According to him, the initiative is 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.

He explained that the intervention was part of the Oborevwori administration’s broader commitment to improving public infrastructure and delivering visible development projects across Delta State.

The Executive Council also approved the construction of 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries as part of efforts to improve the welfare of senior civil servants.

Aniagwu recalled that the administration had recently inaugurated new residential quarters for Permanent Secretaries and also provided them with official vehicles.

He further 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.

According to the commissioner, the proposed additional salary payment is intended as a reward for the dedication and contributions of workers to the development of the state.

New Quarters for Lawmakers

Exco 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 means that nine additional lawmakers will be joining the Assembly.

Aniagwu said Governor Oborevwori had directed the Ministry of Housing to immediately commence the process of providing accommodation for the incoming legislators ahead of their assumption of office.

92 Residential Quarters for Osubi Medical Personnel

In another major approval, the state government gave the green light for the construction of 92 residential quarters for medical personnel at the Osubi Specialist Hospital.

The accommodation, according to Aniagwu, comprises 24 units for resident doctors and 68 units for house officers.

He said the project was designed to improve the welfare and working conditions of healthcare workers and strengthen service delivery at the hospital.

N7bn Approved for Ezhionum–Ogume Road

The Executive Council also approved the reconstruction of the 9.35-kilometre Ezhionum–Ogume Road at an estimated cost of more than N7 billion.

Aniagwu said the project would open up rural communities, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities in the area.

Other road projects approved by the Council include the reconstruction of the Uba Egbelemeji–Ugbenikoko Road in Warri North; rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Mosogar Community Road Junction–Okwueka Road; and reconstruction of the Old Oviorie–Agbarho–Eku Road.

To address flooding around the Specialist Hospital in Asaba, the Council also approved the completion of the storm drainage project around the facility.

Similarly, the government approved the reconstruction of internal roads at the Warri Central Hospital to improve access and movement for patients, healthcare workers and visitors.

Poorly Performing Contractors Lose Projects

In a move aimed at preventing public funds from being tied down in abandoned or poorly executed projects, the Executive Council approved the termination of several contracts over poor performance.

Aniagwu said 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; the 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 of the contracts would pave the way for fresh procurement processes and the re-award of the projects to contractors with the capacity to deliver them.

Aniagwu said the decisions reached by the Executive Council reflected the Oborevwori administration’s determination to accelerate infrastructure development, improve workers’ welfare and ensure the timely completion of public projects across the state.

The massive school rehabilitation programme, additional accommodation for Permanent Secretaries and lawmakers, improved housing for medical personnel and the approval of major road projects were among the key highlights of Monday’s Executive Council meeting.