By Favour Okafor
The State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Special Projects, has promised regular interface with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs in the state, in line with constitutional provisions.
Chairman of the Committee, Honourable Oboro Preyor, made the promise during the maiden meeting of members of the Committee with top functionaries of the Ministry of Works, Urban and Highways Roads and Rural and Riverine Roads, led by their Commissioners, Comrade Reuben Izeze, and Mr Charles Aniagwu.
Hon Preyor, member representing Bomadi Constituency in the State Assembly, explained that the decision to constantly interface with the MDAs was aimed at achieving more meaningful development in road infrastructural sector as envisaged in the MORE agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevrwori.
Addressing the Commissioners and officials of the Ministry of Works, Hon Preyor noted that as the technical arm of the government, the Ministry of Works was expected to perform optimally.
He stressed that functions and activities of the Ministry was vital in assessing the quality of governance by the people.
The Lawmaker emphasized that good and accessible roads across the state were needed to facilitate and enhance movement of goods and services, even as he acknowledged several milestones achieved in that regards by the immediate past administration in the state.
Honourable Preyor on behalf of the Assembly Committee on Works, congratulated and commended Governor Sheriff Oborevrwori for bringing in the construction giant, Julius Berger, into the state to handle some critical road projects.
He said judging by the antecedents of the road construction company, the State was in for accelerated development in road infrastructure, and charged the management team of the Ministry of Works to give the task ahead, the desired attention.
Other members of the Committee, including Honourable James Augoye and Honourable Ferguson Onwo, challenged the Ministry to push for excellence at all times, as good road infrastructure was key to all round development of the state.
The Commissioners, Comrade Reuben Izeze and Mr Charles Aniagwu, with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr Fred Diafiogor, while briefing the Committee, highlighted the prospects and challenges of the Ministry and assured the Lawmakers of the commitment of management and staff to deliver on the mandate of the Ministry.
In a related development, the House Committee on Works and Special Projects, has held an interactive meeting with the commissioner in charge of Special Projects Barr. Funyei Manager where they advocated that his office be restructured to a Directorate or full blown Ministry.
The Lawmakers charged the Commissioner to introduce innovations that would stand the test of time and support governments drive in fast tracking development in the state.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Oboro Preyor assured the Commissioner of necessary support from the state legislature, stating that the 8th Assembly led by the Speaker, Honourable Emomotimi Guwor was committed to fostering synergy with other arms of government, particularly the executive, to ensure peace and good governance in the state.
Honourable Preyor who stressed that there should be a defined budget line for the Ministry of Special Projects, charged the Commissioner to always maintain standards in the execution of projects under his watch.
The Commissioner of Special Projects Barr. Funyei Manager appealed for effective collaboration with the Lawmakers in his desire to achieve the vision of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in the development of the state.
NIM