Tales Of Two Thieves: After Ex-Gov. Okowa Wasted N5.1 Billion To Construct An International Conference Centre, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori Plans N1 Billion For Same Project

Secrets Reporters

As the crippling economy continues to bite hard on Nigerians, the Delta State government has continued to pay no heed to this harsh economic reality and the adverse effect on its youths in the State, as the State government has continued to earmark bogus amounts of money on a trifling project.

SecretsReporters, perusing the Delta State 2024 budget, discovered that the State government proposed the sum of One Billion Naira to construct a new conference centre in Asaba.

This is coming as Charles Aniagwu, the then commissioner of information in the administration of former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, while briefing journalists in 2022, noted that the government is investing the sum of N5.1 Billion for the construction of an International Conference Centre.

He added that the state government intends to complete the project within twelve months and has also approved 35 percent mobilisation fees to the contractor to ensure prompt project delivery.

This raises concerns about the proposed conference centre by the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the sum of One Billion Naira.

In December 2023, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law, totalling N724,979,313,867 billion.

The budget allocation comprises N316,624,462,711 for recurrent expenditure and N408,354,851,156 for capital expenditure under the theme “Budget of Hope and Optimism.”

Governor Oborevwori emphasised that the 2024 budget aims to propel the state’s economy towards sustainable growth. He highlighted its potential to stimulate domestic and foreign investments, bolster productivity, and improve Delta State’s overall business environment.

However, the reality of the crippling economy continues to bite hard, and the continued proposal of bogus amounts on repeated projects continues to dash the hope of the people of Delta State about the government’s sensitivity to their plight.

It is important to note that the Delta State government owns an event centre in the State capital, Asaba, that cares for all functions.