The Federal Government in its sustained efforts to mitigate ecological challenges across the country has commissioned the completed Erosion and Flood Control Works at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku in Rivers State, stating that the risk of flooding and the negative consequences on the Institution necessitated the prompt intervention by the Federal Government.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing-over ceremony of the project to the Institution over the weekend, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office (EPO), Dr. Famous Eseduwo expressed optimism that the intervention will provide succor to the Institution and the people whose lives and properties were endangered.
According to him, the commissioning and handing-over ceremony is expected to serve the dual purpose of the beneficiary Institution and the Community taking ownership of the project and ensuring its sustainability.
Dr. Eseduwo charged the Institution to make the best use of the project and ensure that it’s purpose is not defeated .
He commended the efforts of the Consultant, Messrs Steron International Resources Limited, the Contractor, Messrs Westfield Global Construction limited as well as EPO Engineers for their commitments in ensuring minimum time loss in the project implementation and its timely completion.
In his Keynote Address at the event, the Representative of Mr President, Senator Mpigi Barinada, commended the Federal Government for responding to the yearnings of the Institution through the project intervention and described it as a responsible and ‘responsive administration’. He added, “The completion of this project has further demonstrated Mr President’s commitment to addressing problems confronting institutions of higher learning across the Country”.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I feel honoured as a Special Guest of Honour not only because the project is within my State, but also it is in keeping faith with the present administration’s promise that no part of the Country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration”.
Senator Barinada stated that the completed project has finally put an end to the perennial flooding and its threats to the peace of the Institution.
He expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and the entire people of the State for their ‘cooperation and facilitation of a rancour-free environment during the project execution and also called on beneficiaries to cherish the laudable projects.
Provost of the College, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, thanked the Federal Government and EPO for the intervention, stating that the college had before now witnessed flood devastation annually, disrupting academic, administrative and social activities in both campuses of the college.
He, however, appealed to EPO to help construct a lake in the Campus 2 of the college to totally take care of the annual flooding in the college and reduce lecture time loss during high flooding in the College.
In a related development, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr. Eseduwo in company of the Director, Drought, Desertification and Coastal Management of EPO, Haruna Bello also inspected the proposed site for the Erosion and Flood Control Works and a provision of access roads and drainages with culverts at the Angalabiri-Torukubu Road in Bayelsa State.
Eno Olotu (Mrs)
DD (Press & Public Relations )
