Delta earmarks N6bn for BRT lane

The Delta State Government has earmarked N6bn for the ongoing Bus Rapid Transit lane project in Warri.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, made this known at the Palace of the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase 11 on Friday.

Utuama, accompanied by some members of the ad hoc committee on state sanitation, said the project would help to reduce traffic congestion being experienced in most parts of Warri metropolis.

He said the BRT lane would start from Effurun and terminate at the Nigerian Port Authority.

The deputy governor added that government had engaged 750 people to fortify its traffic control mechanism in the ancient city.

Utuama also said the visit was to intimate the Ogiame of the activities of the ad hoc committee saddled with the responsibility of cleaning up the state and solicit for his support.

“I apologise that we could not visit the Ogiame before the commencement of our operation in Warri South.

“We are on environmental restoration mission in Warri South, Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of Delta.

“Itsekiri are decent people but due to urbanisation, we now have all sorts of people in our midst generating environmental disorders all in the name of trade.

“Government is committed to beautifying the city but the only way we can achieve that is for all hands to be on deck.

“Street trading, illegal markets, granite markets as well as illegal motor parks in the Warri metropolis are now prohibited,” he said.

Utuama said the government had put up machineries that would ensure the sustainability of the programme.

“We will not turn our back to the project, we have put things in place to sustain the momentum.

“The government has instituted two incinerators, one in Ibuzor and the other in Orhonworho, to convert the refuse into fertiliser and other wealth and by implication creating jobs for the youth,” he said.

Chief Mene Brown, who spoke on behalf of the Ogiame, commended the deputy governor for the visit, and urged the government to put in place measures to sustain the programme.

“It is gladdening to hear that incinerators had been put in place to convert the refuse, until we convert them to something else they will still be waste,” Brown said.

The deputy governor was accompanied by Mr Solomon Funkekeme, Commissioner for Works; Mr Patrick Ferife, Land and Survey; Dr Joseph Otumara, Health; Mr Mofe Damijo, Tourism.