Delta State Commissioner for Works, Chief James Augoye says the state government has spent N32.9billion on roads and drainage projects across the state from May 29, 2015 till date.
Augoye disclosed this at the annual ministerial press briefing organised by the state Ministry of Information in Asaba.
According to him, the ministry has embarked on 71 road projects at a total cost of N32.9billion for construction between May 2015 and November 2016, covering over 282km of roads and 136km concrete-lined drains.
The commissioner said that the projects, which comprised highways, urban and rural roads were aimed at transforming the state into an investment haven for tapping diverse agricultural produce and huge mineral deposits.
According to him, these projects when completed will help to reduce post-harvest losses by allowing for quick evacuation of perishable items to markets within and outside the state.
“This administration has embarked on urban renewal by working on several roads in key towns and cities across the state.
“In this regards, a number of roads have been maintained, rehabilitated, reconstructed or newly constructed.
“These include the dualisation of Nnebisi from traffic light junction to Cable Point, Asaba, dualisation of Sapele road from Amukpe to AT & P and the reconstruction of old Emede/Olomoro road in Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of the state,’’ he said.
Augoye said that the state Ministry of Works was also responsible for the construction of the ongoing works on the rehabilitation of the Asaba airport runway and taxiways.
He said that the cost of the airport project was put at about N5billion.
On the policy trust of the ministry, Augoye said that it was the target of the ministry to increase the length of all-weather roads in the state from the estimated current level of 2,550km to minimum target of functional road length of 5,000km.
He said that it was also the target of the ministry to incorporate optimal drainage system in road construction projects as well as transformation of urban centres through the provision of good road network to enhance effective flow of traffic.