Relief for Abia community as FG hands over erosion control project

The people of Okwe Obuohia Obi-Ibere in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State have heaved sigh of relief following the inauguration and handing over of a flood and erosion control project completed with funding from the Ecological Fund Office (EFO).

It was gathered that the project is the second flood, erosion control project that has been inaugurated by the Federal government in Abia State within the last Six months.

Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta, Professor Claudius Omoleye Daramola said that the project was among 26 ecological intervention projects approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and awarded by the Ecological Fund Office Tender Board (EFOTB).

According to Professor Daramola, the timely completion of the erosion control project is in line with the promise of President Buhari’s administration not to neglect any part of the country suffering from natural disasters such as flooding, erosion among other ecological problems.

The minister, who represented Mr. President at the event, further stated that the federal government will always ensure that all other intervention projects across the country are completed for the benefit of the people in furtherance to the administration’s commitment to equity, justice and fair play.

In his remarks Member Representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Chief Sam Onuigbo, who was said to have attracted the projects, described the inauguration and handing over of the flood and erosion control project as historical, adding that it was a success story made possible with cooperation of all stakeholders.

Onuigbo disclosed that the federal government under the administration of President Buhari has executed two massive erosion control projects in his constituency and expressed hope that the federal government intervention would bring relief to the people who have suffered erosion menace over the years.

He said that as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on climate Change, he appreciated the significance of the flood and erosion control projects in his constituency, noting that erosion menace is a major environmental problem that has bedeviled the people of Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency.

Thanking the federal government for its intervention in the erosion problems in Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, the federal lawmaker pointed out that there are still other 40 massive erosion sites that need prompt attention.

According to him, the topography of  Ikwuano/ Umuahia federal constituency is prone to erosion which disrupts farming activities, developmental projects and with people being displaced from their homes as a result of erosion menace.

Also speaking, The Permanent Secretary Ecological Fund Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal said the benefiting community should exercise ownership of the project site, by ensuring maintenance and sustainability as well as to discourage dumping of refuse in the drains so as not to jeopardize the objective of the projects.