Delta ministry of lands achieves 28% budget performance in 2018 — Commissioner

Fri, Nov 9, 2018 | By publisher


Economy

THE Delta Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Mr Chika Ossai, says the ministry has so far achieved 28.76 per cent budget performance in its capital projects between Jan. and Oct. 2018.

Ossai disclosed this when he led officials of the ministry to defend its 2019 proposed budget estimates before the State House of Assembly Committee on Lands and Survey of Friday in Asaba.

The commissioner said that N1.4 billion was approved for the ministry in 2018 for capital projects and N427.9 million was the actual amount released, representing 28.7 per cent.

He said that the ministry had proposed N1.5 billion for capital projects in 2019 with N15 million projected for land use layout and design for all government lands.

“The sum of N20 million has been proposed for surveys for all government land in the state, N10 million for survey and demarcation of local government boundaries, N880 million for acquisition and compensation of acquired land.

“And another N30 million for compensation for the Delta State Independent Power Project site as well as N246 million for the purchase of buildings,’’ he said.

Ossai added that N4 million was proposed for the Delta State Border Community Development Committee and N5 million for the Delta State Boundary Committee.

He said N3.5 million was proposed for the Land Use Allocation Committee, as well as N2 million for the Urban and Regional Planning Board.

He said that the ministry was determined to live up to expectations in line with its mandate.

He said that the projected revenue for land regularisation was N150 million and N2 billion for ground rent, while processing of certificate of occupancy was N600 million.

Ossai said that the ministry would achieve more given the projections and modalities put in place for revenue generation.

He appealed to the committee to assist the ministry by appropriating more funds for it to achieve the set goals.

Responding, the Chairman House Committee on Lands, Survey and Urban Development, Mr Peter Uviejitobor, said that the committee had taken note of the areas the ministry performed well.

He urged the commissioner to do more in the areas that needed improvements.

He commended the ministry for prudent management of the approvals and releases made to it by the state government.

The Chairman gave assurance that the committee would look into the 2019 estimates presented by the ministry to achieve more in the 2019 fiscal year.

-NAN

BE

– Nov. 9, 2018 @ 16:15 GMT |

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