The Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Urban Renewal, Hon Oboro Preyor says the recent EndSARS protest was a big setback in the Urban Renewal drive of the state government.
Hon Preyor who represents Bomadi Constituency and the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, stated this during the budget defence session of the State Ministry of Urban Renewal led by the Commissioner, Chief Authur Akpowowo, at the Assembly Complex in Asaba.
Hon Oboro Preyor, said some projects executed by the Ministry of Urban Renewal were vandalized during the EndSARS protest which started peacefully but later hijacked by hoodlums.
Hon Preyor, flanked by members of the Committee, including Innocent Anidi, Emeka Nwaobi, and Kenneth Ogba, regretted that works that were already in place, are being budgeted for in the 2021 fiscal year as a result of their destruction.
The lawmaker said the budget performance of the ministry in the outgoing 2020, was impressive as the fit recorded was first of its kind since the ministry was created in 2015.
Hon Preyor however requested that some documentations be made available to the Committee to enable it further its assignment.
The State Commissioner for Urban Renewal, Chief Authur Akpowhowo, said the ministry was able to make its impact felt across the state despite the Covid 19 pandemic challenges.
Chief Akpowhowo expressed optimism that 2021 will witness enhanced budget performance by the ministry.
The Urban Renewal Commissioner also regretted the vandalism of projects executed by the ministry during the EndSARS protest in the state.