The Delta State Ministry of Urban Renewal has been advised to ensure geographical spread of its projects across the three senatorial districts and the twenty five local government areas of the state.
The State House of Assembly Committee on Urban Renewal gave the advice when the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Chief Arthur Akpowhowho appeared before members to defend the 2022 budget estimates of the ministry at the state Assembly Complex in Asaba.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Oboro Preyor and a member of the Committee, Hon Emeka Nwaobi had pointed out the concentration of projects in some areas why non was executed in certain local government areas.
The Lawmakers expressed concern that even those areas were also not captured in the 2022 budget proposal that is before the government.
While Hon Preyor stressed the need to correct the imbalance to reflect the oneness and unity of the people, Hon Nwaobi said it was unfair for the ministry not to have proposed a single project in Aniocha North for three years running.
Preyor, Nwaobi and other Committee members who spoke, stated that as representatives of the various constituencies, such development can not be taken for granted and charged the Commissioner and his team to ensure that the issue and other issues raised were addressed.
The Lawmakers also directed the Commissioner to forward to the Committee list of projects awards by the ministry in the outgoing year 2021.
The Commissioner, Chief Arthur Akpowhowho, flanked by the Permanent Secretary, had told the Committee that the ministry recorded 33.3 percent budget performance in 2021, including the one point two billion naira expended for road construction and rehabilitations in parts of the state.
Chief Akpowhowho said the sum of five point two billion naira was allocated for the ministry in the state 2022 budget estimates, saying that priority attention would be given to the completion of ongoing projects while some few others were introduced.
He assured the committee that the issues raised would be given the deserved attention, noting that the intervention funds captured in the budget would be well spread and utilized.
The Commissioner commended the Chairman and members of the Committee for their support and appealed for sustained collaboration.