By David Lawani, Abuja
Criticisms have trailed the concentration of the proposed projects from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in Edo State in the northern senatorial district alone.
The Ministry had proposed a budget of N346.12bn for 2024 with the recurrent expenditure taking a chunk of N328.05bn while capital expenditure was put at N18.07bn.
It has a total of 212 capital projects, out of which 109 are new and 103 ongoing.
In the list of the top five projects slated to be executed in Edo State, the construction of 45 kilometres of Okpella-North Ibie-Agenebode Road Phase 1 in the Edo Northern Senatorial District will gulp N1.50bn.
Other projects in the senatorial district include the design and construction of Ekperi-Osomegbe Road at the cost of N545m; the construction of Ihievhe-Ogbe Road (N500m), and the construction of Iyukun-Atte Road (N500m), all in the same senatorial district.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Momoh, is from Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) in Edo North Senatorial District of the state.
However, reacting to the development, a reliable source said the Minister noted that he has not made any mistake claiming he did it because all previous Ministers of the Ministry started projects from their immediate Constituency.
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The source also said that the Minister maintained that the likes of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, when he was the minister in the Ministry also did same, the source said.
According to the source, “I called the Minister, Dr Abubakar Momoh and he confirmed that he cited those projects in Etsako, in Edo North because he needed to start from his immediate community.
“He told me he did that because all other previous Ministers who have headed the Ministry including the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio started projects from his community after he was appointed as the Minister.
“I have not done anything that other Ministers of the Ministry have not done. So, by the next budget window other areas will be considered,” the source stated.
But, a lawyer and a Pastor, Paul Omoluabi, who is also a citizen of Edo State, urged the Minister to show magnanimity in even distribution of these projects.
According to him, “It is with great concern and respect that this passionate appeal is placed on record. We urge you to reconsider amending the proposed projects in the spirit of fairness, equity, justice, and inclusivity.
“A careful perusal of the Federal Government’s proposed 2024 budget under the esteemed Ministry of Niger Delta needs urgent amendment to reflect the fair distribution of the proposed projects within Edo North. It is our passionate concern that Akoko Edo LGA be given a fair share of the projects.
“A major project that requires urgent attention is the Ibillo-Igarra-Auchi Road. This is a major road that if it is properly fixed, the entire community in Edo North will be relieved of several setbacks, and the impact on internally generated revenue will be massive.
“There are several other dilapidated government projects, like schools, hospitals, and clinics in Akoko Edo LGA that need urgent attention”, he noted.
However, efforts to get across to the Minister’s aid for a reaction proved abortive as their lines were either not reachable or non-available.
