Anambra, FG, World Bank partner on 15 more erosion control projects
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano
By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Anambra State Government has paid the counterpart fund for the rehabilitation of fifteen erosion sites in the state.
The Project Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Anambra State, Mr. Michael Ivenso disclosed this while conducting Anambra State House of Assembly Committee round Nkpor flyover erosion site in Idemili North Local Government Area.
Mr. Ivenso who noted that Anambra is the worse state ravaged by erosion across the federation told the Committee that the Obiano administration in conjunction with the Federal Government and the World Bank have made financial commitment to reclaim communities devasted by erosion in the state.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting the extent of works done so far at the erosion site by the by the M.C.C. Construction firm handling the project, the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Chief Lawrence Ezeudu commended the firm for constructing quality flood channels that can stand the text of time, even as he said that their oversight exercise at erosion sites in Anambra State is not to witch-hunt anybody but to prevent execution of shoddy jobs.
Chief Ezeudu who directed the firm to stick to specification as the committee will not hesitate to expose any Firm doing poor jobs, asked all Construction Firms rehabilitating erosion sites in the state to expedite action on them before the rainy season set in.
At Ugamuma erosion site in Obosi, the Committee inspected the drains done so far by the Construction Firm, after which it told journalists that it will make recommendations to the State Executive Council concerning the project. In an interview, the Project Manager, Mr. Tedus Igbo explained that reclamation and remedial works on the site is thirty five completed, assuring that they will be faster than they were before as they have acquired more equipment needed to handle difficult aspect of the project.
The Committee also inspected Ire-Obosi, Umuoji and Ojoto erosion sites where it observed that work is in progress. The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Dr. Timothy Ifedioramma and a member of the committee, Hon. Chuka Ezenwune applauded the Obiano administration for quick intervention in gully erosion ravaging parts of the state