My Blog

Category: Delta Update

  • Delta Government Unveils Telephone Reporting System for Project Accountability

    The Delta state Government has recently introduced a proactive approach to ensure transparency in the utilization of funds allocated for the 2024 budget. 

    In a recent announcement made by Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, the State Commissioner for Economic Planning, the government has launched dedicated telephone numbers for Delta residents to report on the progress of ongoing projects within their communities.

    The essence of these telephone lines, as disclosed by Mr. Ekedayen in Asaba, is to supplement the efforts of the Ministry’s monitoring and performance evaluation team. 

    This initiative aims to ensure that all projects adhere to specified quality standards.   The provided telephone number, 09011862842, encourages residents to monitor contractors executing projects in their localities and submit WhatsApp messages with accompanying images or videos as evidence, without directly engaging or disrupting any ongoing work.

    Moreover, Mr. Ekedayen highlighted the upcoming year’s plans, distinguishing them from the distractions faced during the previous year due to election campaigns.  He emphasized the commitment of the Commissioners in driving the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori administration, stating that they had signed performance bonds with the Governor to ensure effective governance.

    Regarding the 2024 budget, Mr. Ekedayen emphasized the state’s determination to spend within the confines of the generated revenue without resorting to loans.  He stressed that the budget was organic and comparatively smaller due to its alignment with the state’s economic capacity.

    Explaining the funding sources, he mentioned that approximately eighty percent of the budget would come from the federation account, while the remaining twenty percent would be from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).  He projected a monthly revenue of N12bn, intending to boost the IGR to about N150bn, consequently increasing the budget appropriation figure for the fiscal year.

    The Commissioner sought the support and collaboration of the people of Delta, especially in monitoring projects and assessing their performance.  He assured that any reports received would be acknowledged, and the actions taken would be communicated to the respective reporters.

  • Police arrest kidnapper, drug peddling suspects in Delta

    The Police Command in Delta has apprehended a kidnap suspect and recovered arms and ammunition from him in the state.

    The spokesman of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, told newsmen on Thursday in Warri that the suspect was nabbed on Wednesday by operatives of the command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

    Edafe said that the suspect was arrested at his hideout in Uvwie Local Government Area following intelligently gathered information about the hoodlum.

    He said that the RRS was led by its commander, Superintendent of Police (SP) Omouwuigbe Nosakhare.

    “Acting on credible intelligence about a suspect who hibernates somewhere in Warri but a member of a dreaded kidnap syndicate, SP Nosakhare, on May 24, 2023, led operatives of RRS and stormed the criminal hideout in Uvwie Local Government Area where the suspect was arrested.

    “A search warrant was executed in his premises where one English Berretta pistol and 15 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition were recovered,” he said.

    Edafe said that an investigation into the matter was ongoing.

    In another development, the police spokesman said that the command had arrested a suspected drug peddler in Jeddo Community, Okpe Local Government Area of the state.

    He said that the suspect was apprehended on Wednesday by police operatives attached to the Orerokpe Division while on intensive stop-and-search/visibility patrol on Jeddo Road.

    “The operatives intercepted the suspect with a suspicious-looking bag. He was subjected to a search during which weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were discovered.

    “Other hard drugs in large quantities were found in his possession and packaged in mini rubber cups for sale. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody,” he said.

    Edafe said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was a notorious drug peddler in Okpe and its environs, adding that efforts to arrest his accomplices are ongoing.