BY GODWIN IJEDIOGOR
THE Delta State Executive Council (EXCO) has approved the disbursement of N10 billion to offset the pension liabilities inherited from previous administrations in the state in fulfillment of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s promise to ease the hardship of pensioners and to defray inherited pension liabilities.
This was one of the decisions reached at a meeting presided over by the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, held at Government House, Asaba.
Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, flanked by his counterparts- Economic Planning, Sonny Ekedayen; Housing, Godknows Angele- and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Festus Ahon, said the EXCO deliberated on several life-impacting memos cutting across social investment, infrastructure and governance reforms.
Aniagwu stated the disbursement marks the beginning of the process of defraying pension arrears, with a committee already set up to ensure the funds get to deserving beneficiaries without bias or interference, as part of the administration’s broader commitment to improving the welfare of citizens under the M.O.R.E. Agenda and making life more livable for senior citizens who had served the state diligently.
He said the EXCO reviewed timelines for key infrastructure projects, including two major flyovers in Agbor (Uromi Junction) and Ughelli (Otovwodo Junction), being handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, adding: “The Agbor flyover, initially scheduled for completion in 24 months, has been revised to 18 months, while the Ughelli flyover has been reduced from 24 to 14 months.
“These adjustments are aimed at delivering the projects faster to ease movement and boost economic activities.”
The Council also considered the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) presented by the Commissioner for Economic Planning, as part of preparations for next year’s budget, which will soon be presented to the state House of Assembly, and terminated some non-performing contracts across the state to ensure efficient project delivery and value for money.
One of the affected projects is the Igbodo Junction–Ubulu–Uku to Ogwashi-Uku Road, which will be re-examined and re-awarded to a competent contractor, in line with the governor’s resolve to open up communities across the 25 local government areas.
Aniagwu said the Council approved the formal presentation of the Staff of Office to the Okporua I, the Ovie of Udu Kingdom, HRH Mike Oghenovo Orugbo, following his installation by the kingmakers.
While reaffirming the administration’s commitment to people-oriented governance, transparency and accelerated infrastructural renewal across the state, the commissioner stated: “The governor has made it clear that projects must deliver value to Deltans. Where contractors fail, we will not hesitate to act in the interest of our people.”
Similarly, the EXCO approved key fiscal documents setting the stage for the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, alongside the construction of 10 new residential quarters for Judges across the state.
Ekedayen said the Council considered and approved the economic fiscal update, fiscal policy strategy and the budget policy statement, critical documents required by law and fundamental to the preparation of next year’s budget.
He explained that before the commencement of any budget process, there must be a set of assumptions, and it is those assumptions that the Council considered and approved today, while the document will now be transmitted to the Assembly for enactment of the necessary laws to enable government commence the actual budget preparation.
The commissioner said the assumptions are aligned with national parameters agreed upon by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to ensure uniformity across states, adding: “This uniform basis will make it easier to integrate the budgets of sub-national governments into a national framework.”
He listed the key macroeconomic assumptions as oil production, put at 1.7 million barrels per day; exchange rate at N1,500 to US$1; GDP growth rate of 3.4 per cent; and inflation rate of 23 per cent.
These figures, he stated, would guide his ministry in designing next year’s budget, which will subsequently pass through EXCO approval before being presented to the state Assembly, noting that the approval signals the beginning of the new budget season for the state.
Also speaking, Angele said the construction of 10 new Judges’ quarters in Asaba, Warri and Osubi was part of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of the judiciary, as the governor believes in balancing all arms of government, as commissioners’ and legislative quarters already exist in Asaba.
Angele explained that the project, approved as the first phase, will feature four-bedroom duplexes for 10 Judges- five in Asaba and five in Warri/Osubi, designed for comfort and security within designated judicial residential clusters.
“This is a new construction and not renovation. It is part of the administration’s effort to ensure the judiciary functions in a conducive and secure environment,” Angele added.
