Delta Exco grants approval for N40bn credit facility to pay retirees

* Approves N10bn for palliatives to less privileged Deltans

* Approves construction and rehabilitation of more roads

By Jon Egie

Delta State Executive Council has granted approval for N40 billion credit facility offer to the 25 local government councils in the state to defray substantial part of outstanding retirement benefits to local government pensioners.

This was disclosed by the Hon Commissioner for works, (highways and urban roads) Reuben Izeze Esq, while briefing journalists shortly after the Exco meeting presided over by the State governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, at the Exco Chambers of the Government House, Asaba.

It would be recalled that the Chairman of the State branch of ALGON, Hon Victor Ebonka Esq had assured of the payment of the gratuities with effect from the month of August 2023, just ended, having perfected all necessary documentation needed for the loan.

The Exco approval to grant the offer is seen as a strategic approach to ratifying the ALGON effort for resolving the issue with Delta State Government seal.

Contacted for reaction, the Chairperson of Association of Contributory Retirees, ACR, Chief Mrs Helen Ejieh declined comment saying she was yet to avail herself with content of the Exco approval and promising to get back later.

The State Exco in a group photograph shortly after the meeting

The State Executive Council has also approved the sum of N10 billion as Social Investment to fund palliatives for less privileged Deltans living with disabilities, widows, women, youths and aged in the society.

Hon Izeze said the decision of the approval to fund the palliatives for the less privileged will be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for approval.

The Exco meeting was the maiden of the Oborevwori’s administration.

He informed that the Exco further gave approval for the construction of several roads in tandem with the spirit of the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Oborevwori’s administration. The roads according to Izeze were spread across the three senatorial districts and critical to the economic development and raising the social status of citizens of the State.

The roads include: 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.

“Rehabilitation and asphalt overlay of 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.

“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.”

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; the appointment of 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.”

On his part, Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr Sonny Ekedayen, said Exco also approved the sum of N167 billion as 2023 supplementary budget.

Earlier in his welcome remark, Governor Oborevwori congratulated the Commissioners on their appointments and urged them to work assiduously in the interest of the growth and development of the state.

He urged the Commissioners to avail themselves copies of their swearing-in ceremony address and his inauguration speech, adding that they both offer the pathway of the policy thrust of his administration.

“For the administration to be successful it requires the collaborative efforts of everyone. I urge all members to work in synergy as the decisions of council is a collective decision of all members,” the governor said.