As another budget presentation took place on Friday 23rd November 2012, it is obvious that, no matter the criticisms on projects embarked upon in previous budget cycles, without clear cut completion dates, the Uduaghan led administration continue to recklessly allocate funds to phantom projects. Some of these projects have been recurring for the past three or more years and in the section on the performance of the 2012 budget, no mention was made on the level of completion of these projects.

They think that Deltans are so blind as not to notice these fraudulent projects. Where on the planet do individuals or governments initiate projects without having clear timelines for completion? Is it not obvious that such projects are being used as drain pipes to misappropriate our common wealth? Below is an update on the major infrastructural projects started over the years and the amount allocated to them in the 2013 budget. It is interesting to note that the funds allocated in 2012 to these projects have been fully utilized as indicated in the government’s analysis of the 2012 fiscal in which it stated that the total revenue and total expenditure equals N437,218,083,558.00.
The projects under the spotlight are:
1. ASABA – UGHELLI ROAD DUALISATION – Over N19 billion spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Additional N5 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government lump the allocation to all ongoing road projects under the heading Road Networks and amount allocated is N20.24 billion.
2. KOKO – UGBENU ROAD DUALISATION – Over N3 billion spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Additional N2 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government lump the allocation to all ongoing road projects under the heading Road Networks and amount allocated is N20.24 billion.
3. EFFURUN – OSUBI – EKU ROAD – Over N2 billion spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Additional N3.94 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government lump the allocation to all ongoing road projects under the heading Road Networks and amount allocated is N20.24 billion.
4. TRANS WARRI -ODE ITSEKIRI ROAD AND BRIDGE – Over N6 billion spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Additional N5 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government lump the allocation to all ongoing road projects under the heading Road Networks and amount allocated is N20.24 billion
5. INDEPENDENT POWER PROJECT, OGHAREFE – A project started in 2009, with over N24 billion spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Additional N4 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N4billion to the project.
6. WARRI INDUSTRIAL PARK – Although a PPP, over N1 billion of State funds spent on master planning, EIA, consultancy etc by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Additional N3 billion earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N2billion to the project. The question to ask is, what has been the contribution of the private sector partners to the project?
7. ICT PARK, ASABA – The amount spent by the end of the 2012 fiscal year cannot be verified. In the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N1billion to the project.
8. ASABA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – Unverifiable huge amount spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. Despite all the claims and government propaganda that the project has been completed and fully operational, an additional N4 billion earmarked in the 2012 Budget for the completion of the Airport. Again in the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N4billion to the project. Can the government to honest and sincere with Deltans, by telling us the true stage of this all important project or is it now a ritual to allocate funds to projects which are deemed ‘completed’?
9. SECOND RUNWAY AND EXPANSION OF OSUBI AIRPORT – Over N1.3 billion spent by the end of 2011 fiscal year. An additional N8 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N4billion to the project. Deltans are a bit confused here. How can a government be spending such huge funds on an Airport she doesn’t own? Why get involved in two airport projects, whilst other critical infrastructures suffer?
10. MASS TRANSPORTATION – Over N3 billion spent by the end of the 2011 fiscal year. An additional N9.4 billion was earmarked in the 2012 Budget. In the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N2.12billion for the sustenance of our mass transportation.
11. KOKO PORT FREE TRADE ZONE – Although a PPP project, N2 billion earmarked in the 2012 Budget, to facilitate the quick take-off of the FTZ project. In the 2013 budget, the government has allocated a further N7billion to the project. The question to ask is, what has been the contribution of the private sector partners to the project?
The era of government lies, deceit and falsehood is drawing to a close and all elected persons whose mandate is to manage our commonwealth MUST be made to account for the prudent use of our resources. We will continue to enlighten the masses and request from our leaders or ‘rulers’

TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.