Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Wednesday presided over the maiden meeting of the Delta State Executive Council at Government House, Asaba.
In his welcome remarks, the Governor congratulated the Exco members, especially the Commissioners, on their appointment and urged them to hit the ground running to ensure accelerated growth and development of the state.
He charged the Commissioners to arm themselves with copies of his inaugural speech and the address presented at their swearing-in ceremony, which he said contained the policy thrust of his administration.
Oborevwori reminded them that Exco decisions were collective and required the collaborative contributions of every member, stressing that they must work hard to meet the expectations of the people.
Briefing newsmen later on the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads) Hon Reuben Izeze, said approval was given for N10 billion social investment in palliatives for Deltans.
Hon Izeze said the Governor would soon forward the request for the amount to the State House of Assembly for approval, pointing out that the palliatives would be for the less privileged, people living with disabilities, widows, women, youths and the aged in the society.
He said Exco gave approval for the construction of several roads in furtherance of the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Governor Oborevwori administration, adding that every senatorial district was covered and the roads were critical to uplifting the economic status of the people.
The Commissioner said the approvals covered the reconstruction of Upper and Lower Erejuwa roads in Warri, rehabilitation of Esisi road from Warri-Sapele road to Estate roundabout, with a spur to Nana College to link Ajamimogha in Warri.
Also the rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of the failed sections of PTI road in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area; rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Oviri Court-Adagbrasa road in Okpe Local Government Area, rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of Ohorhe-Adagbrasa-Ugolo-Okuodiete road with a spur from Adagbrasa to Ughwagba community to Okan junction along the Eku-Osubi-Effurun road in Okpe Local Government Area.
Approval was also given for the construction of roads around Otovwodo junction in Ughelli North Local Government Area; construction of Nsukwa-Umute-Adonte road Phase 1 from Nsukwa to Umute in Aniocha South Local Government Area, remedial works for the failed approach to the bridge at Bedesegba along Ohoror-Bomadi road in Bomadi Local Government Area.
Continuing, Izeze said Exco also granted approval for the installation of all-in-one LED solar powered street lights along NPA – DSC Expressway and its environs in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas.
Exco also approved the payment of the 2023 counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Programme and for the organisation/hosting of the 7th edition of the National Youth Games in the state.
According to him, Exco ratified the appointments of some traditional rulers, including HRM Macaulay Popo Ovbagbedia, Uhurhie-Sadjere II as the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe Ikolo as the Ovie of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South; HRM Ogheneochuko Morris Eyekpimi – Egbobonyen as the Orosuen of Okere Urhobo Kingdom in Warri South and HRM Obi Emmanuel Chukwuka as Obi of Umute Kingdom in Aniocha South LGA.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, said Exco also approved N167 billion 2023 supplementary budget.
He said Exco also ratified an earlier approval for N40 billion credit facility offer to the 25 Local Government Councils in the state to defray substantial part of outstanding pension benefits to Local Government retirees.
New Hands on Deck as Delta Targets Durable Roads under Oborevwori