By Fatima Saka
Delta State Government has approved a lease-to-own contract for the Oghara Independent Power Project (IPP) in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa, on Friday in Asaba.
He said that government had taken the decision of Lease-to-own instead of outright sale as earlier advised to ensure that the state gets value for its investment in the electric power project.
“At today’s EXCO meeting, we approved the principle of Lease-to-own not outright sale as we were advised before now.
“What we have done now is Lease-to-own where the lessee will now have to fix, operate and bring it to a state where it will work and then begin to pay some amount of money to the state government for a period of time”. Aniagwu said.
The Commissioner flanked by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, said the EXCO also approved the appointment of Sylvester Enechaziam, as the Ogbelani of Illah Kingdom, in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
He also said other approvals included the purchase of two fire fighting trucks for the state fire service to improve their capacity to combat rising incidences of fire outbreak across the state.
“Exco also approved the appointment of HRM Sylvester Enechaziam as the Ogbelani of Illah Kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
“The Construction of Phase 1 of Odododegho Road 2.5km from Ekiugbo Junction in Ughelli North; Egbo Street and Egbule Street Idumesa in Ika North-East were also approved, while the Ute-Okpu and Ute-Enugu Road was repudiated to be rewarded to another competent company.
“Exco approved construction of drainage channel to deflood Koka junction to Ibusa Road on dual carriage road,” Aniagwu said.