₦177BN FLYOVER SPENDING: GOMEP NG QUESTIONS DELTA’S PRIORITIES, SAYS FUNDS COULD HAVE CREATED JOBS

₦177BN FLYOVER SPENDING: GOMEP NG QUESTIONS DELTA’S PRIORITIES, SAYS FUNDS COULD HAVE CREATED JOBS

The Guild of online Media Editors and publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP NG) has questioned the Delta State Government’s spending priorities following the commitment of about ₦177 billion to flyover bridge projects across the state.

GOMEP NG said the funds committed to the projects could have been channelled into job creation, vocational training, agriculture, healthcare and other productive sectors capable of improving the livelihoods of residents.

The organisation said the figure represents the combined value of major flyover contracts awarded by the present administration in Warri/Effurun, Ughelli and Agbor.

The projects include the ₦78 billion Warri/Effurun flyover and road expansion project awarded to Julius Berger; the ₦39.3 billion Otovwodo Junction Flyover in Ughelli; and the ₦59.7 billion Uromi Junction Flyover in Agbor.

According to GOMEP NG, the organisation is not opposed to the construction of roads and bridges, noting that infrastructure remains important to economic development. It, however, argued that the scale of expenditure should be matched by equally significant investments in employment and human capital.

“₦177 billion is a substantial amount of public money. While flyovers and roads have their importance, a significant portion of such resources could have been directed towards creating jobs, developing skills and supporting productive businesses across Delta State,” GOMEP NG said.

The organisation said the state could have used part of the funds to establish vocational and technical training centres across its 25 local government areas, provide tools and start-up support for young entrepreneurs, expand agricultural production and processing, and strengthen primary healthcare.

GOMEP NG also called for greater transparency in the award and execution of major public contracts, including the publication of contract values, project specifications, independent cost benchmarks and final expenditure.

The organisation said public infrastructure spending should ultimately be measured not only by the number of projects completed but also by the economic opportunities and improved living standards generated for citizens.

It urged the Delta State Government to place greater emphasis on policies that convert public expenditure into sustainable employment, enterprise development and economic growth.

“Development is not only about what government builds in concrete. It is also about the jobs, businesses, skills and opportunities that public investment creates for the people,” GOMEP NG said.