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| Mr. Aniagwu, flanked by Mr. Egwuyenga, right, and Mr. Olise Ifeajika at the post-EXCO briefing. |
The
Delta state Government has called on the Federal Government to be magnanimous
enough by easing the pains that the citizens go through because of the total
collapse of Federal roads in the state.
The
Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu made the passionate plea while
answering questions from journalists at the post-EXCO press briefing at the
Press Centre, Government House, Asaba.
He
said it was wrong for people to think that the state government did not take
interest in the road for possible rehabilitation, but explained that attempts
made by the state government to intervene were stopped by officials of the
Federal Government who told the state government to get its hands of the roads
because contract on them have been awarded.
Aniagwu
pointed out that the state government is therefore, hamstrung and left
helpless, even as he decried the continued neglect of the roads that have
become nightmares to the citizens.
He
said: “The Delta state Government is pleading with the Federal Ministry of
Works to intensify effort and fast-track action on the deplorable conditions of
federal roads in Delta state.
“The
Agbor-Eku Road is already dilapidated. The fact is that the roads belong to the
Federal Government. We tried to intervene on the Onitsha head bridge portion,
and the Federal Government said ‘No’, that the contract for the road
rehabilitation has been awarded.”
The
commissioner announced that work will begin on the DLA Road as soon as the
rains stop, pointing out that the flooding problem usually associated with that
road has been taken care off as the flood channelization effort has paid-off
through the massive storm-water project of the state government.
Answering
another question on insecurity, Aniagwu said the state is one of the most
peaceful states in the country, but that on the issue of herdsmen’s menace, he
said “we expect the Federal Government to make pronouncement on who is a cattle
rearer, and cattle rustler.”
Meanwhile,
the Commissioner announced that the State Executive Council today, also approved
the release of N1.5 billion counterpart fund to Universal Basic Education
Commission (UBEC) for funding of primary education in the state for 2019.
Aniagwu,
who was with his Youths Development counterpart, Mr Ifeanyi Egwuyenga, said
that Delta was one of the few states that was consistent with the payment of counterpart
fund to UBEC, pointing out that the consistency underscored the premium that the
state government attached to education and resolve that Deltans should have the
best of every positive development in the country.
“Delta
is a peculiar state and our governor is passionate about education and as such,
when the issue of counterpart-funding for UBEC was raised and deliberated on,
it was approved by the Exco.
``This
has made Delta the most consistent in paying of the counterpart fund,’’ he
said.
The
commissioner also stated that ``because of influx of people to Delta and Asaba
in particular due to the peaceful and progressive nature of the state, Exco
approved the establishment of one new primary school and another secondary
school in Asaba metropolis.
“We
know the importance of education to the lives of our people and we are also
aware of the passion of the people when it has to do with education, so, we
should expect more schools to be established in the future.
``We
must give accolades to the administration of our Governor, because a lot of
schools were also established during his first tenure.
“It
is also gladdening to note that a Project Monitoring Unit was approved by the
Exco to ensure that projects executed in the state are done to specifications
and delivered on schedule.
``The
approval is in line with our governor’s desire to deliver projects that will
touch the lives of the people for a long time to come.’’
He
added that Exco also approved the review of the cost for construction of
Igbide-Irri internal roads.
He
disclosed that in addition to other approvals, Exco also approved the 2020
Work-Plan for the Job Creation Office, and that all markets constructed by the
state government had been were handed over to local government councils for
management.
“The
issue of job creation was also discussed and based on the need to ensure that
more Deltans, especially the youths, are positively engaged in the next four
years, the Directorate of Youths Development will collaborate with other
Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to engage the youths.’’
On
his part, Egwuyenga said ``our governor wants collaboration across MDAs to
ensure the effectiveness and opening of more frontiers for the youths to be
engaged.
``He
wants that opportunity for youths to be employed and also be employable.
“Exco
agreed that there was a need to expand other entrepreneurial opportunities and
to look critically into the mindset and value orientation of youths, because it
is clearly so desired.
``So,
we have a direction and a value system where youths need to have a different
perception as we currently have.
“We
looked at value orientation for youths and the need to expand every opportunity
that will ensure that youths fare better.”
Also
at the well-attended briefing was the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr
Olisa Ifeajika.
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