By Ebriku John Friday
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, July 2nd, 2021 commissioned Erosion and Flood control project at Uyuanga-Ojor-Ufumkpa-Owai in Akamkpa local government area of Cross River State.
The over N7 million project was executed by the Ecological Fund Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing over ceremony in Ufumkpa, President Buhari said that the project was one of the 23-ecological interventions in the second phase implemented across the six geopolitical zones, approved in 2018 and awarded by the federal executive council in 2019.
Buhari who was represented by the Minister of State, Power, Goddy Jedy Agba, OFR, said that the project is a testament of his government’s commitment to developing all parts of the country evenly.
He opined that the project is expected to address the devastating effects of erosion and flood menace and improve motorable road to the communities.
According to him, “the completion of this project underscores the federal government’s concerted efforts and sincerity in tackling problems of its citizens and making life more meaningful. I have no doubt that this intervention will bring a huge relief to the communities which have had to cope with ecological challenges for years.
This project is a testimony to the present administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration”.
While urging the communities to take ownership and maintain the project, the President said that “this project would reduce the dangers to lives and properties associated with erosion and persistent flooding that had been experienced in recent times”.
On her part, former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita who nominated the project thanked the President for his prompt approval and support throughout the duration of the project.
While also calling on the communities to set up committee to maintain the project, she appealed to the President to approve the phase two of the project to allow for asphalting of the road.
“Ufumkpa community say thank you to the President, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and the Permanent secretary of the Ecological Fund Office for seeing to the completion and commissiong of this great project.
We don’t want to sound like Oliver Twist but, please, Mr. President, consider a phase two of this project to allow for asphalt cover to allow the road have a long life stand”, she said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ecological Office, Dr. Habiba Lawal who was represented by Engr. Udochi Nwachuku, Deputy Director, Soil and Erosion Control charged members of the communities to ensure that government’s investment in the project is not wasted.
She said that “the commissioning and handing over of the project to the communities is expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the host communities to takeover and exercise ownership over it, to ensure its maintenance and sustainability. The resources which the federal government had committed to this project must not be allowed to waste”.
Responding, the Commissioner of Environment Cross River State, Mr. Mfon Bassey commended the Federal Government for the project, noting that it was in line with the efforts of the state government to ensure that people living in erosion prone areas are properly protected.
