The Delta Government, on Monday, ordered the state ministries of primary and secondary education to promptly investigate and profile all schools that needed to be rehabilitated or reconstructed.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said this while briefing newsmen in Asaba on Monday.
Aniagwu said the approvals were among the decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba.
He said that massive rehabilitation and reconstruction work in primary and secondary schools structures were expected to commence in September.
According to him, the ministries of primary and secondary education have been directed to immediately assess schools across the state’s 25 local government areas and identify the ones requiring rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.
The commissioner said the intervention was aimed at providing pupils, students and teachers with safer and more conducive environments for teaching and learning.
Aniagwu said: “The governor has directed that the two ministries should immediately come up with the scope of these different schools that need to be rehabilitated or reconstructed so that government can immediately proceed to put them in order.
“The decision formed part of the administration’s broader commitment to improving public infrastructure and delivering visible projects across the state.”
Aniagwu said that the government also expressed its commitment to workers’ welfare by approving the construction of 12 additional duplexes for Permanent Secretaries.
He said that the administration recently inaugurated new residential quarters for Permanent Secretaries and provided them with official vehicles.
“The state government is working on a proposal, to be backed by legislation, for the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants as a reward for workers’ dedication and contribution to the development of the state.
“The council also approved additional residential quarters for members of the Delta State House of Assembly, given the recent increase in the number of constituencies from 29 to 38 in the state.
“The new proposed quarters will provide shelter for the nine additional lawmakers into the state assembly,” he said.
The commissioner said that the governor had directed the Ministry of Housing to commence the process of providing accommodation for the incoming legislators ahead of their assumption of office after their election.
He also said that an approval had been given for the construction of 92 residential quarters for medical personnel at the Osubi Specialist Hospital, comprising of 24 units for resident doctors and 68 units for house officers.
“The project is part of the administration’s efforts to improve the welfare of healthcare workers and provide better working conditions at the facility,” he said.
On roads, Aniagwu said approval was also given for the reconstruction of the 9.35-kilometre Ezhionum–Ogume Road at an estimated cost of more than N7 billion.
According to him, when completed, the road will open up rural communities, improve connectivity and stimulate economic activities in the area.
He said other projects approved included the reconstruction of Uba Egbelemeji–Ugbenikoko Road in Warri North; rehabilitation and reconstruction of Mosogar Community Road Junction–Okwueka Road; and reconstruction of the Old Oviorie–Agbarho–Eku Road
“The council also approved the termination of some contracts over poor performance and following recommendations by the State Tenders Board after the contractors failed to deliver the projects at the expected pace.
“The contracts terminated were the Okerenkoko township road; construction of Adjei street and school road with interlocking stones at a new layout in Warri South.
“Also terminated was the contract for the permanent office complex for the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC).
“The termination will allow the government to commence fresh procurement processes and re-award the projects to contractors that have the capacity to deliver them,” he said.
Aniagwu said the decisions underscored the administration’s determination to ensure timely delivery of public projects and prevent taxpayers’ money from being tied down in abandoned or poorly executed projects.
According to him government in a bid to tackle flooding around the Specialist Hospital, Asaba, also approved the completion of the storm drainage project around the facility.
“Similarly, the government approved the reconstruction of internal roads at Warri central hospital to improve access and movement of patients, healthcare workers and visitors.