Warri South Local Government Chairman, Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, says his administration is redefining grassroots governance with landmark infrastructural, educational, health and welfare projects within one year.
Agbateyiniro disclosed this during an inspection visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta State Council, led by Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, to assess people-oriented projects and programmes.
Represented by the Deputy Leader of the Legislative Arm, Rt Hon Prince Emmanuel Omasan, he said projects were designed to transform infrastructure, improve education and strengthen health, security, agriculture and environmental sanitation.
He said work on a two-kilometre road from NPA New Port Gate to Proteco along NPA Express Road was almost completed, while Nupe-UCC Road construction, with dual drains, was 90 percent completed.
A 600-metre bridge is also underway at Ifiekporo Town, linking the Transatlantic New City of Warri, designed to decongest the main town and open up new economic opportunities.
The council adopted a zero-pothole policy, rehabilitating several failed road portions, including 200 metres of Omadino-Obodo Road, to improve traffic flow and reduce vehicle wear and tear.
Agbateyinro said Pessu Market operations were revived through the construction of a modern abattoir, a solar-powered cold room and an ongoing meat fair shop for online ordering and doorstep delivery.
He said within one year in office, the council constructed a one-storey building complex in Igbudu Market, comprising 24 lockup shops to replace the space of the structure lost to fire outbreak.
The council passed 10 people-oriented laws, including revenue review, traffic enforcement, property enhancement and waste management, ensuring inclusive governance and citizens’ participation in lawmaking.
On education, he said 1,000 pupils received scholarships, 8,500 notebooks were distributed, entrance and JAMB fees were paid, while school sports support enabled Ighogbadu Primary School to win the Zenith Bank Headmaster’s Cup.
In health, millions were spent assisting accident victims and cancer patients, emergency ambulance services were provided, and insecticide-treated nets distribution achieved 100 percent success.
For agriculture, 20 hectares of land were acquired at Orere-Uba Community, while staff received agricultural production training in Akwa Ibom and Oyo States, with two percent of council allocation invested in farming.
Regarding sanitation, drains and canals were opened, and 100 sweepers and sanitation marshals were engaged under the “Project Keep Warri Clean” initiative, complemented by the rehabilitation of security agencies’ operational vehicles for improved patrol and response.
Welfare packages include monthly transport stipends for staff, N20,000 stipends for elderly persons, and N10 million revolving loans for 10 markets in the local government area.
“Our goal is to leave Warri South far better than we met it. Every project focuses on improving lives, creating opportunities and preparing for a greater future,” Agbateyinro said.
NUJ Chairman, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, stated that the visit was part of a local government scorecard initiative aimed at encouraging excellence, transparency, and healthy competition among councils across Delta State.
The NUJ team later joined council leaders in a motorcade for on-the-spot verification of ongoing projects in the local government area.
