Delta to commence rehabilitation of schools soon – Commissioner

The Delta state government has approved a massive rehabilitation and reconstruction work in primary and secondary schools across the state.

The job of reconstruction is expected to commence in the coming weeks.

The decision was among the major resolutions reached at Monday’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

Addressing newsmen after the exco meeting, Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education had been directed to immediately assess schools across the state’s 25 local government areas and identify the ones requiring rehabilitation or complete reconstruction.

He said the intervention was aimed at pupils, students and teachers with safer and more conducive environments for teaching and learning.

He 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 the government can immediately proceed to put them in order.”

The commissioner said the decision formed part of the administration’s broader commitment to improving public infrastructure and delivering visible projects across the state.

Also, Exco moved to boost workers’ welfare, with the approval of the construction of 12 additional duplexes for permanent secretaries. Aniagwu recalled that the administration recently inaugurated new residential quarters for permanent secretaries and provided them with official vehicles.

The commissioner also stated that the state government was working on a proposal, to be backed by legislation, for the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants.

He described the proposed payment 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, following the increase in the number of constituencies from 29 to 38. The development will bring nine additional lawmakers into the assembly.

Aniagwu said Governor Oborevwori had directed the Ministry of Housing to commence the process of providing accommodation for the incoming legislators ahead of their assumption of office.