The Delta State Government has approved the sum of N167 billion as supplementary budget for the 2023 fiscal year.

The government also gave approval of N10 billion as social investment to fund palliatives for women, widows, youths, and physically challenged persons.

The approvals were given at the State Executive Council meeting which was presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at the Government House in Asaba, the state capital, on Wednesday, August 30, 2023.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen, said the council approved the sum of N167 billion as 2023 supplementary budget of which about 65 per cent represents capital expenditure, while the balance goes to recurrent expenditure.

Ekedayen stated that the council also 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.

On his part, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze, said the approval for the N167 billion supplementary budget and the N10 billion funds for palliatives will be committed to the Delta State House of Assembly for approval.

Izeze noted that the N10 billion would augment amount the Federal Government provided for the state to cushion the impact of the economic hardship.

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He said the government also approved for the construction of several roads in furtherance of the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Oborevwori’s administration.

The commissioner said all three senatorial districts are covered, adding that the road projects are critical to the uplifting of the economic status of the people.

Izeze stated: “The council approved 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.

“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.

“Also 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 LGA.

“Construction of roads around Otovwodo junction in Ughelli North LGA; Construction of Nsukwa-Umute-Adonte Road Phase 1 from Nsukwa to Umute in Aniocha South LGA.

“Remedial works for the failed approach to the bridge at Bedesegba along Ohoror-Bomadi Road in Bomadi LGA.

“Council 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 LGA.

“It approved the payment of the 2023 counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Programme and for the organisation and hosting of the Seventh Edition of the National Youth Games in the state.”

He added that the council approved 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.”

The Star