Delta Government Introduces Telephone Reporting System for Project Accountability

From Our Correspondent

In a bid to ensure transparency in the utilization of funds for the 2024 budget, the Delta State Government has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative. State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr.

Sonny Ekedayen, recently announced the introduction of dedicated telephone lines empowering Delta residents to report on ongoing project progress within their communities.

The proactive move aims to complement the Ministry’s monitoring and evaluation team efforts, as disclosed by Mr. Ekedayen in Asaba. By providing a specific telephone number, 09011862842, residents are encouraged to monitor local contractors and submit WhatsApp messages with accompanying images or videos as evidence, all without disrupting the ongoing work.

Highlighting the initiative’s objectives, Mr. Ekedayen emphasized the pursuit of specified quality standards for all projects. He also underscored the forthcoming year’s plans, distinct from previous distractions during election campaigns, reaffirming the Commissioners’ commitment to the MORE agenda of the Oborevwori administration.

Moreover, Mr. Ekedayen stressed the government’s resolve to operate within the revenue generated without resorting to loans, resulting in a comparatively smaller, organic budget aligned with the state’s economic capacity.

Elucidating on funding sources, he revealed that about eighty percent of the budget would originate from the federation account, while the remaining twenty percent would be sourced from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He projected a monthly revenue of N12bn, aiming to bolster the IGR to about N150bn, subsequently elevating the fiscal year’s budget appropriation figure.

The Commissioner called for support and collaboration from Delta residents in monitoring projects and evaluating their performance, assuring that all reports received would be acknowledged, and subsequent actions communicated to the respective reporters.