Delta Assembly Approves Additional N2.2bn For Okowa’s N13.6bn Central Secretariat Project

The Delta State House of Assembly has approved the request of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for an upward review of the contract of the construction of the New Central Secretariat Complex by N2.2 Billion.

The Governor’s request was contained in a letter sent to the House and read by the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori at Tuesday’s plenary.

According to the letter, the Governor said the state executive council had approved an upward review of the contract for the construction of the New Central Secretariat Complex awarded to North China Construction Nigeria Limited at the tune of N13.6 billion.

He said due to the urgency in bringing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies under one roof to reduce the cost of governance, it became necessary to complete the project in record time by ensuring adequate funding bearing in mind it’s importance as one of the flagship projects of the present administration.

The Governor noted that the state executive council at it’s meeting which held on May 21, 2019 considered and approved the term loan financing of the upward review to the sum of N2.2 Billion.

He said the purpose of the letter was to seek a resolution of the House in support of the term loan financing of the upward review in respect of the new secretariat complex project .

The Deputy Speaker,  Hon. Ochor Ochor moved separate motions for the House to receive the letter for further consideration and approve it and was seconded by Hon. Emeka Nwaobi and Reuben Izeze.

Similarly the House approved another request from the State Governor for discount of the Federal Government Promissory Note Issued by the Debt Management Office to settle debts for works executed on Federal roads in Delta State.

The request of the  Governor was contained in a letter to the House read by the Speaker.

According to the letter, Governor Okowa said the state executive council at its meeting
which held on May 21, 2019 approved the discount of the federal government promissory note of N34,430,396,876 only by the Central Bank of Nigeria at a discount rate of nine percent per annum.

He said the state executive council also approved the payment of consultancy fee of N1,128,807,251.28 to the Nigeria Governor’s Forum Consultant GSCL Consulting.

Governor Okowa said the purpose of the letter was to seek a resolution of the House in support of the discount and payment of consultancy fee  .

Thereafter, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ochor Ochor moved separate motions for the House to receive and approve the request and was seconded by Honorable Oboro Preyor and Honourable Tim Owhefere.