Delta endorses Lease-to-own deal for Oghara IPP

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’s Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday in Asaba.

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He said that the 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.

Aniagwu said, “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”.

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 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 outbreaks 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.

Aniagwu disclosed that Friday would be the last council meeting to be attended by cabinet members who had expressed interest in contesting 2023 general election.

“The exit would enable them to pursue their 2023 aspirations and we wish them well in their future endeavours.

“It is their desire to go and contest and we wish them well even as the governor has advised all contestants involved in the contest to avoid heating up the polity.

“At the moment, Delta is a very peaceful state and we want it to remain so even in the course of the electioneering campaign and as such all contestants have been advised to maintain a high level of decorum.

“They should use words recognising the fact that we are all brothers whether in the party at the level of primaries or at the level of the main contest with any other opposition party.

“What is important is that we are all from Delta and those aspiring to lead must show leadership by using languages that are in line with what those who are to be called leaders use.

“So, if you don’t see some members of the cabinet in the next meeting, do know that they have complied with the provision of the Electoral Act of 2022 as passed by the National Assembly,” he said. (NAN)