The Delta State Directorate of Riverine Infrastructure Development has called for collaboration of stakeholders towards overall infrastructural development of riverine communities in the state.
Commissioner in charge of the Directorate, Chief Ebikeme Clark, made the call when he led officials to the State Assembly to defend the proposed 2025 budget estimate of the Directorate before the House Committee on Works and Special Projects.
Chief Clark said the N5 billion budget envelop given to the Directorate in the 2025 proposed budget, is a step in right direction, saying that there are lots to put in place to achieve Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s vision in creating special directorate for riverine communities infrastructure development.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Directorate must live up to expectations and solicited the support of the State Assembly Committee on Works and Special Projects to achieve the task ahead.
He said an expenditure of forty million naira is proposed for the procurement of office equipment in the 2025 fiscal year, and forty five million for procurement of safety kits and life jackets, in view of the fact that the assignment of the Directorate entails constant travels by boat to the riverine communities.
Chief Clark disclosed a provision of ten million is proposed for furnishing and equipping of the Library in the Directorate, even as he appealed that matters relating to recurrent expenditure be accommodated in the 2025 estimates in view of the fact that the Directorate was created just towards the end of the
third quarter of the year.
“In the foregoing connection and having considered the need for the Directorate to be well-positioned to carry out its mandate, a modest recurrent expenditure of the sum of Two Hundred Million Naira only is proposed.
“This proposal is based on the consideration of critical factors that could impede the performance of the Directorate if not addressed”, Mr Clark stated.
The Commissioner explained that increase of the Directorates regular overhead from five million to ten million is proposed, and sought the understanding and support of the Lawmakers.
“I wish to appeal that in order to enable the Directorate live out the Governor’s vision for the overall infrastructural development of the riverine communities, it is important to consider and approve the five Billion Naira budget envelop given to our Directorate for the 2025 proposed budget.
“We also solicit for the approval of the proposed Two Hundred and Twenty-Five Million for recurrent expenditure and increase of the Directorates regular overhead from five Million Naira to Ten Million Naira”, Clark said.
The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon Collins Egbetamah commended the Commissioner for his presentation and assured him of necessary support.
