Delta state commissioner for environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani Tommy, on Thursday said that the state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has provided a total of one billion naira as counterpart funding for the control of erosion in Amachai, Ogbeozoma and Vanguard area of Okpanam in Oshimili North local government area of the state.
The commissioner made the disclosure during the presentation of engineering designs by a consultant under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) at the conference hall of the ministry of environment.
He said the decision by the governor was in fulfillment of his promise to protect and alleviate the living conditions of the project affected persons in Amachai, Ogbeozoma and Vanguard areas.
The commissioner also said the governor’s intervention was to usher Delta state into the committee of NEWMAP states that have qualified for the European Investment Bank (EIB) intervention in Nigeria.
Mr. Ejiro Jamani added that the governor, in addition to the one billion counterpart fund, provided three hundred million naira for all consultancies as pre-qualification for disbursement by the EIB.
According to him, the NEWMAP engineering design has provided a detailed engineering design of the major drainage system and hydraulic structures within the affected catchment areas.
The event provided opportunity for stakeholders to make meaningful contributions towards the success of the project.
The commissioner, who commended the role of NEWMAP in the state, said NEWMAP is positioned to handle the state’s environmental challenges as part of its objectives to strengthen institutions and improve lives.
NEWMAP state project coordinator, Mr. Bennedict Nwaokocha, commended the governor for keying into the project, a development which led to payment of the counterpart funding. He said the intervention of the governor has put Delta into the front states of NEWMAP.
Mr. Nwaokocha said the meeting afforded Delta state office of NEWMAP to present the erosion control plan to stakeholders in the three affected areas of Okpanam community.
He told journalists that immediately the engineering design is approved by NEWMAP headquarters in Abuja, the project will commence.
He said with the meeting community stakeholders was successful as they have felt the pulse of the people and the people in the area have also known that the state government was working in their favour as their interest is being protected.
Member representing Oshimili North in Delta state house of assembly, Hon. Frank Esenwa, appreciated the governor for his magnanimity to Okpanam, a community in his constituency.
Others who spoke at the meeting were director general of Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, Chief Patrick Ukah, among others.
