BENIN CITY – Residents of the dreaded erosion prone areas in Queen Ede, Benin and Auchi have applauded the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for deeming it necessary to intervene with a view to restoring hope to the people of the areas.
Some of the residents who spoke with newsmen in separate interviews during an inspection visit of the Nigerian Erosion And Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to the Oshiobugie gully erosion in Auchi, Queen Ede and the Ekenwan road erosion sites in Benin City were full of thanks for the Governor.
They attributed the havoc wrecked on the residents since over 28 years, to the negligence of past successive governments in the state and commended governor Oshiomhole for his timely initiative.
In a chat with Journalists, the Edo State Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities, Prince Clem Agba, said “the journey started about four to five years ago when the comrade governor assumed office”.
The commissioner who is also the chairman, steering committee of the Nigerian Environment And Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), said in the course of inventory it was discovered that there were 108 gully erosion sites in the state.
Worried by the development, Agba stated that the state government sought the assistance of the late president Musa Yar’Adua led Federal government, which he said incorporated Edo State into NEWMAP.
He stated that the state government did not just embark on construction of roads but some structures that would help control the volume of erosion.
“Most of the gully erosion are man made as a result or errors in the earlier design, and the government was now spending billions of naira, rather than spend millions which could have solved the menace.
The Environment Commissioner disclosed that about N7.5bn was earmarked for the Oshiobugie gully erosion in Auchi while N2.7bn was earmarked for the Queen Ede erosion, with N360m projected for the Ekenmwan road erosion.
He maintained that the projects which were officially flagged off in February this year were at 98/60 percent completion stage.
The National Communication and Outreach specialist, Dr. Adebayo Thomas, described NEWMAP as an integrated watershed project.
He commended the state governor, comrade Adams Oshiomhole for his developmental initiative, adding that other state’s were already emulating him.
He sued for community collaboration by way of taking ownership of the project in view of ensuring their protection on his part, Engineer of NEWMAP, said the construction of the gully erosion involved about 2.7 kilometre, adding that NEWMAP was bent on capturing other channels of erosion into the ongoing construction.
He said NEWMAP was striving to ensure that the projects were completed within the stipulated period of time.
The Area Manager of Centraco PLC, the company handling the Oshibugie gully erosion, Michelle Rizk, said the company’s scope was aimed at addressing the concrete challenge of posed by the erosion with the construction in terms rigid and flexible that would help control erosion.
Chief Azez Ogboanh, chairman of the Auchi Erosion committee, Barr Sonny Imolode, site community chairman of Queen Ede and Rev. Fr. Richard Ofere of ST Thomas described comrade Oshiomhole’s quick intervention as apt.
“We are grateful to governor Oshiomhole who made the count part fund ready for this project”, stated Rev. Fr. Ofere.

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