By SUNNY EGEDE
Delta State Government has approved the building of a College of Medical Sciences at the Delta State University of Science and Technology, (DSUST), Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of the state.
Briefing journalists yesterday evening in Asaba, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza said the approval was part of the decisions reached at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori at Government House, Asaba.
Osuoza, flanked by Commissioners for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Reuben Izeze; his counterpart in Works (Rural and Riverine Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu; Higher Education, Professor NyerovwoTonukari and Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Sir Festus Ahon, said the Exco also approved the payment of compensation for land acquired by the state government for the establishment of the DSUST, Orerokpe campus.
“Exco today approved the construction of internal roads at the Headquarters of the 63 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ibusa, in Oshimili North Local Government Area, construction of Aziken Avenue, DDPA Low Cost Housing Estate, Boji-Boji, Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area. “Exco approved the construction of Utagba-Uno/Ndemili Road phase 1, and Eweshi – Utagba-Uno Road, both in Ndokwa West Local Government Area.
“We also approved the construction of the main access road to the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun; construction of Sokoh Estate Road and Okito Street, Off Airport Road, Effurun, in Uwvie Local Government Area; the construction of internal roads in Kiagbodo phase 1, and the rehabilitation of Odimodi/Okonto/Ogulaha Road, both in Burutu Local Government Area.” “Also approved are the construction of Odoziobodo/Aninta Street, off Ezenei Avenue, Oshimili South LGA, rehabilitation of Ekakpamre/Ekrokpe/Usiefrun and Orhuwhorun Road in Ughelli South and Udu Local Government Areas, and the construction of Bezi Road, off College Road in Aladja in Udu Local Government Area.
“Others include construction of Uduophori Secondary Commercial School Road in Patani Local Government Area, construction of Ofuegbe Street, Amai in Ukwuani Local Government Area; construction of Oloma/Eyewuoma internal roads at Koko beach and the construction of Ogbogudu community road in Egbema, Warri North Local Government Area,” he said. Osuoza also said Exco approved counterpart funding in respect of Delta State AUDA/NEPAD innovative strengthening of small holderfarmers capabilities towards productive land restoration amid COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Exco also approved the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Prince Samuel AkpomiemeFuludu, as the Pere of Ngbelebri-Mein Kingdom,Burutu Local Government Area.
“Exco also approved the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Simon Wajutome Odhomo, Igbogidi I, as the new Odiologbo of Irri Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area,” the Information Commissioner added. Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works (Rural and Riverine), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, said Governor Oborevwori had “a bird’s-eye view” of the entire state, hence projects were approved across the three Senatorial Districts in line with the opportunities for all plank in his administration’s MORE Agenda, stressing that 11 new road projects were approved for his ministry.
On the failed portions of Benin-Asaba highway at Ezenei Junction Asaba, Aniagwu said Governor Oborevwori was interested in the quick repair of the road due to the untold hardship the failure had on commuters.
He pointed out that the contractor engaged by the Federal Government was taking steps to rehabilitate the section and appealed for more patience.
In his remark, Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze said work was ongoing on already approved road constructions across the state, adding that the new approvals were in line with Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda for meaningful development across the state.
…. Introduces Audio-Visual Means Of Obtaining Statements From Suspects
Meanwhile, the State Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN) has issued a circular directing that police officers or the investigating agency/authority to ensure that the statement of a criminal suspect in their custody is taken in the presence of a legal practitioner of the suspect’s choice.
In addition, obtaining such a statement must be recorded in audio-visual format, pursuant to Section 435 of the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2022 (As Amended).
The Attorney-General, in a statement signed on his behalf by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), A. O. Orhorhoro, warned that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, shall henceforth cease to accept any Certified True Copy or original copy of the Case file of criminal investigation from the Police or any investigating agency/authority which does not comply with the directive. The statement dated 30th of September 2024, reads, “I am directed to inform you that the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta State, EkemejeroOhwovoriole (SAN) has, pursuant to Section 435(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2022 (as amended), issued the following Directives/Circular.
“Where a suspect who is arrested with or without a warrant volunteers to make a confessional statement, the Police Officer, (or the Investigating Agency/Authority as the case may be), shall ensure that the making and taking of the statement shall be in writing and shall be recorded electronically on a retrievable video compact disc or such other audio-visual means.
“The Police Officer or the Investigating Agency/Authority as the case may be, shall ensure that the statement of the suspect is taken in the presence of a legal practitioner of his choice, or where he has no lawyer of his choice, in the presence of any Legal Practitioner or an Officer of the Office of the Public Defender, or an Officer of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, or an official of the Civil Society Organisation, or a Justice of the Peace (JP), or any other person of his choice. “The person from any of the named categories mentioned in paragraph 2 above shall endorse his name, status/rank, occupation, address signature and date on the statement of the suspect attest to the same as a witness to the making of the same.
“The Police Officer, (or the Investigating Agency/Authority as the case may be), shall forward the Original copy of the Case file together with material evidence of the manner of the making and taking of the suspect’s statement to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Delta State.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Delta State shall not, from the date of this Circular, receive any Certified True Copy or Original copy of the Case file of Criminal Investigation from the Police or any Investigating Agency/Authority which does not comply with the above Directive/ Circular”, the statement added.
