BY ANDREW IKEHI
COMMITTED to ensuring improved road construction and maintenance in the 2025 fiscal year, the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) has said it is proposing the sum of N3.5 billion for project execution in 2025.
Director-General of the Agency, Engr. Emmanuel Ighomena, disclosed this yesterday in Asaba, the Delta State capital when he led top officials of the Agency for the defense of the Agency’s 2025 Budget proposal.
Appearing before the State House of Assembly committee on Works and special projects, the DLA boss stressed the need for the construction of new roads as well as the rehabilitation and maintenance of existing ones in the state, which he noted, were affected by this year’s heavy rains.
According to him, the fund would be channeled for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads across across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He, however noted that few of the roads are in deplorable state, stressing that they need urgent intervention and rehabilitation.
The DLA boss commended the committee for the allocation of funds to the agency for the outgoing year just as he appealed for the release of the funds to enable the agency carry out its mandate of monitoring, rehabilitation and maintenance of roads in the State.
He said that the appeal had become necessary as it would help in the easy movement of agricultural products from the rural areas to the urban centres as well as the protection of lives and property in the state.
Ighomena also explained that the agency has only one budget line which according to him, has hampered the operations of the agency over the years.
He added that some essential services such as staff welfare, training among others are not provided for and appealed to the committee to create a new budget line and increase the budgetary allocation of the agency which will cater for the staff welfare, training among others.
On the budget performance for the outgoing year, Ighomena said that the sum of N2 billion was approved for the rehabilitation and construction of roads for the agency.
According to him, the agency has so far received the sum of N534 million for various purposes, which include rehabilitation of Ogwashi-Uku-Kwale Express way between Afor and Ossissa, representing 26.7 per cent.
He, therefore, appealed for the release of the 2024 approved budget of the agency to enable it carry out its mandate.
Responding, the Chairman, House of Assembly committee on Works and special projects, Hon. Collins Egbetamah stressed the need for increased synergy between the Direct Labour Agency (DLA) and the House Committee on Works and Special Projects for enhanced service delivery.
Hon. Egbetamah, member representing Udu State constituency, commended the agency and promised to look into their request so that the agency could realise its mandate of rehabilitation and maintenance of existing roads in the state.
