EXCITING NEWS: TNG WhatsApp Channel is LIVE…
Subscribe for FREE to get LIVE NEWS UPDATE. Click here to subscribe!
The Delta House of Assembly Committee on Works and Special Projects has decried the poor state of the Direct Labour Agency (DLA), an intervention agency of the State, and promised to take necessary steps to revive it.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Oboro Preyor, gave the assurance in Asaba on Saturday during a maiden meeting of the committee with the interim management team of the agency.
Preyor (PDP-Bomadi), who expressed concern over the ailing agency, said it should not be allowed to go into extinction.
The lawmaker explained that the DLA was the only intervention agency established by Delta State Law to handle road maintenance and construction of smaller roads in the State.
Preyor, who explained that the agency was established to function just like the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), noted that there was a time the agency was almost like a parallel body with the State ministry of works.
He, thereafter, directed officials of the agency to present to the committee the exact cost of reviving the asphalt plants and machineries that could be salvaged, especially the earth-moving equipment.
The chairman also directed the agency to furnish it with a detailed report of its strength and functions, saying there was the need to know whether the agency still has the manpower to handle projects.
The lawmaker, however, noted that the committee was not interested in auctioning any of the equipment, but to approach authorities, particularly the governor of the state, to restore the agency.
Preyor also warned officials of the agency against over bloated estimates on the repairs of the ailing facilities.
He expressed the hope that someone with a vision would be appointed as the next Director-General of the agency.
Mr Ferguson Onwo (PDP-Isoko South I), who expressed optimism towards reviving the agency, said, “it is cheaper to maintain roads than allow them to degenerate to the point that requires complete reconstruction.”
Earlier, the Acting Director General of the agency, Mr Henry Emonena, said that the agency was a beehive of activities before the set backs that plunged it into its present state.
Emonena recalled a time when no fewer than 50 road projects were inaugurated under the agency and regretted the loss of government patronage on it.
He disclosed that all the asphalt plants, located in some parts of the state, were down due to incessant vandalism, adding that the present management was able to rehabilitate one recently.
Delta Assembly pledges regular interface with MDAs for infrastructural development
The Delta House of Assembly Committee on Works and Special Projects, has pledged regular interface with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under it oversight in order to achieve meaningful development.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr Oboro Preyor (PDP-Bomadi), gave the assurance in Asaba on Saturday during a meeting with top functionaries of the Ministry of Works, (Highways and Urban Roads) and (Rural and Riverine Roads), led by their Commissioners, Mr Reuben Izeze, and Mr Charles Aniagwu.
Preyor said that the the decision of the committee to regularly interface with the MDAs was aimed at achieving more meaningful development in road infrastructural as envisioned in the ”MORE agenda”of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori.
He also said that one of the oversight functions of the committee included supervision of projects under the MDAs.
Preyor noted that as the technical arm of the state government, the Ministry of Works was expected to perform optimally, stressing that the functions and activities of the Ministry were key to assessing the performance of the present administration.
The lawmaker noted that good and accessible roads across the state were needed to facilitate the evacuation of goods, especially farm produce across the state.
Preyor congratulated and commended the State Governor for engaging Julius Berger Construction Company to handle some critical road projects in the state.
”With the enviable track record of the construction giant, Delta is in for accelerated development in road infrastructure,” he said.
Preyor therefore charged the management team of the ministry of works to brace up for the task ahead.
Two members of the committee, James Augoye (PDP-Okpe) and Ferguson Onwo (PDP-Isoko South I), urged the ministry to push for excellence at all times, saying that good road infrastructure was key to all-round development of the state.
Earlier, the commissioners, Reuben Izeze and Charles Aniagwu, while briefing the committee, highlighted the prospects and challenges of the ministry and assured the lawmakers of the commitment of the management and staff of the ministries to delivering on their mandates.
Similarly, the committee which also met with the management of Special Projects Office, called for the upgrade of the office of the State Commissioner for Special Projects to a Directorate or a full-fledged Ministry.
The chairman of the committee said by so doing, the office would be accorded all the nomenclatures of a directorate or a ministry.
Preyor explained that the office needed four major departments, including Administration, Finance, Inspectorate, as well as Planning, Research and Statistics, DPRS, with a Permanent Secretary to function effectively.
Preyor charged the commissioners to introduce innovations that would stand the test of time and support government’s drive in fast tracking development in the state.
He, however, assured the commissioners of necessary support from the State Legislature, saying that the 8th Delta Assembly, led by the Speaker, Dennis Guwor, was committed to fostering sound synergy with other arms of government.
Preyor, who also stressed the need for a defined budget line for the special projects office, charged the commissioners to always ensure that standards were maintained in any project under their watch.
He assured the commissioners of every necessary legislative support of the committee.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Project Office, Mr Funyei Manager, had appealed for effective collaboration with the lawmakers in his desire to achieve the vision of the State Governor in the development of the state.