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DELTA State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has initiated remediation projects in five communities in Delta State in collaboration with the World Bank and Federal Government to tackle the menace of flood and erosion.
The governor, who launched the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Asaba, said that his administration would welcome all partnerships that would proffer solutions to erosion and environmental challenges.
NEWMAP, an interventionist programme, with the assistance of the World Bank and the 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 was unfortunate that there were 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 organisation 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, who was also 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 had 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.
His Royal Majesty, Obi Kikachukwu, the Obi of Ubulu Uno, who spoke on behalf of the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Emmanuel Efeizomor II, Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State Chapter, Honourable Constantine Ikpokpo and others, who spoke at the occasion, commended Governor Okowa’s efforts in attracting projects that would impact positively on the lives of Deltans.
