By Omon-Julius Onabu
In a landmark deal to upgrade the Lander Brothers Anchorage in Asaba, the Delta State capital, the state government, and the Abuja Boat Club have agreed a 13-year lease deal worth N524 million.
The state Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcome of yesterday’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa at the Government House Asaba.
Aniagwu explained that the multi-million naira anchorage standardisation project and revitalisation of the historical monument, which flanks the River Niger bank, was meant to make it an international tourism and relaxation centre which will boost the job creation drive of the Okowa administration.
The information commissioner, who was flanked at the briefing by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, and governor’s aide, Mr. Nduka Omodon, said the Exco approved the deal with the Abuja Boat Club because of its reputation in international tourism business sector.
The Exco also approved the adjustment and expansion work on the ongoing Beneku Bridge in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state at an extra cost of N1.2 billion.
He explained that the decision to extend the bridge by about two metres and other additional technical features of the bridge was advised by the current flooding situation in the area as well as other parts of the state.
In other areas, the council approved the construction of Labo Bridge in Sapele at the cost of N394.4 million, while the sum of N414 million was also approved for the completion of the ongoing reconstruction of DLA Road in Asaba as well as the construction of some adjoining streets.
Aniagwu, who noted that the state government greatly appreciated the effort made by the youths, particularly in Asaba, to halt the destructive activities of hoodlums from outside the state who hijacked the recent #EndSARS protest in the state, saying such intervention helped greatly to stop the further destruction of public and private facilities.
Property worth hundreds of millions of naira were destroyed by the rampaging miscreants who came into Asaba from outside state, including the torching of the state High Court building, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) office in Asaba, as well as many vehicles and statues, monuments and the modern recreational park also in Asaba, he said.
