The Delta State Government says it has within the past six years committed a total amount of N458 Billion naira into Civil Engineering projects in the State.
The State Commissioner for Works, Urban roads and Highways, Noel Omodion flanked by the Commissioner Works, Rural and Riverine roads, Hon Solomon Golley, disclosed this when he appeared before the Hon Emeka Nwaobi led House of Assembly Committee on Work to defend the ministry’s budget proposals for 2022 fiscal year.
The sum, according to the Commissioner, Mr. Noel Omodion is the total value for the 532 Civil Engineering projects being handled by the State Government since the inception of the present Government.
Mr Omodion said that the sum covers projects which include; highways, urban and rural roads, drainage structures, bridges as well as road rehabilitation and maintenance.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the civil engineering works covers 1,334.84 kilometers of roads and 727.6 kilometers of drainage channels which he explained cuts across the 25 local government areas of the State.
According to Omodion, while the State Government has so far paid a total sum of N265.7 Billion for both ongoing and already completed projects, it requires in excess of N184 Billion to completely pay for other projects being handled by the State Ministry of Works.
For the 2022 fiscal year, the Commissioner disclosed that a total sum of N105.1 Billion is being proposed as Capital Expenditure as against the NN69.6 Billion approved Capital Expenditure for the 2021 fiscal year.
On recurrent Expenditure, he said the sum of N374.4 Billion is being proposed for the 2022 fiscal year, adding that same figure was approved for the Ministry in the outgoing fiscal year.
Mr Omodion explained that the proposed Capital Budget for the 2022 fiscal year would be deliberately channelled towards the completion of ongoing projects in the State.
He said that with the proposed sum, several of the Road projects embarked upon in the three Senatorial districts of the State would be pursued vigorously towards completion.
Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Hon Emeka Nwaobi commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his proactive disposition and commitment towards infrastructural developments in the State.
Hon Nwaobi urged the ministry to ensure equitable distribution of the products as well as quality assurance and standards.
Other members of the Committee who spoke drew attention of the ministry to some critical ongoing roads and bridge projects in parts of the state and urged it to ensure their completion.