In a bid to tackle the
devastating effects of flood and erosion menace in the state, Delta State
Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa in colloboration with the World Bank and
Federal Government has initiated remediation projects in five communities in
the state.
The Governor who launched the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed
Management Project (NEWMAP) Thursday in Asaba said, that his administration
will welcome all partnership that will proffer solution to erosion and
environmental challenges.
NEWMAP which is an interventionist programme assisted by the
World Bank in collaboration with the Delta State government under the auspices
of the Federal Government is designed to check gully erosion and flood.
Speaking at the event, Senator Okowa observed that it is unfortunate
that there are over 100 active erosion cum flood ravaged sites in Delta State.
According to him, "the World Bank has partnered with us in
different areas and we are happy with the development as we are ready to
partner with any organization or individual that is ready to assist our people,
especially, those in erosion and flood prone areas, and in the area of our job
creation efforts."
"The World Bank has really impacted on our people and we
will continue to come to the table with accountability," he said,
assuring, "for us in Delta State, we all should be involved in the
monitoring of projects; if the contractor is doing well, praise him, but, if
the project is not well executed, shout about it and it will be
corrected."
Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff
Oborovwori at the occasion said, "I must say that the launch of NEWMAP
today is very timely because, the world is changing, we cannot run away from
Climate Change, it has come to stay and we must rise up to the challenge."
He appealed to Deltans to desist from building on natural
waterways and stop blocking drainage system observing that the Ministry of
Environment has done a lot to open all blocked drainages across the State.
The Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank and NEWMAP Task
Team Leader, Dr Amos Abu thanked Governor Okowa's administration for its
commitment towards the development of Delta State, especially in tackling
environmental challenges which was evident in the quick release of the
counterpart funding of N530 million.
HRM Obi Kikachukwu, the Obi of Ubulu Uno who spoke on behalf of
the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Emmanuel Efeizomor
II, Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON),
Delta State Chapter, Hon. Constantine Ikpokpo and others who spoke at the
occasion commended Governor Okowa's efforts in attracting projects that will
impact positively on the lives of Deltans, assuring that they will play their
parts to ensure the successful execution of the programmes.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Environment
in the state and chairman, steering committee, NEWMAP, Delta State, Hon. John
Nani said, "the intervention of NEWMAP in the state will ensure route and
gully reclamation in communities such as Midona, Boji Boji Owa, Ika North East
Local Government Area; Obomkpa and Ukwu-Nzu in Aniocha North local government
area; Ubulu Uku, Aniocha South local government area and Jesse, Ethiope West
local government area, all in Delta State.
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