Federal Government commissions gully erosion control in Abia

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the gully erosion control and road improvement works at Agbozu, Umueze, Amaba Uzuakoli, in Bende local Council of Abia State.

The project, which was funded by the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), is one of the 19 ecological intervention projects of the Federal Government embarked upon in the first quarter of 2018 but awarded in July of the same year.

The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Ogah, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the event expressed delight for the timely completion of the project, stressing that it has brought a huge relief to the residents.

He disclosed that the second phase of the project would commence soon noting that several communities in Abia State have been under devastating erosion menaces.

Ogah explained that president Buhari, in line with his resolve has ordered resumption of works on some abandoned federal projects in Abia and specifically, the Aba- Port Harcourt Expressway, and Ohafia-Arochukwu road, which he said are presently receiving attention after years of neglect.

On ecological funds released to states and the Niger Delta Development Commission activities in the State, he said, event although states were getting their shares of ecological funds, some did not have corresponding evidence of the utilisation.

He also lamented that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), expended billions of naira in Abia State without meaningful impacts, stressing that the present federal government would not allow such again.

He challenged affected states and the NDDC to respond to the situation, by doing the right thing and debunked the allegation in some quarters that it was only the federal government that got its share of ecological fund.

The Permanent Secretary, ecological fund office, Dr. Habiba Lawal, disclosed that the erosion control project, was initiated through a request “for urgent intervention” made by his predecessor Mrs. Georgina Ekeoma Uhuria.

Also speaking, the Contractor, Theophilus Ubani stated that the project was executed within a record time of six months.