FIC Centre (Abia State) – Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has officially commissioned the Gully Erosion Remediation Projects at Amuzukwu-Ibeku in Umuahia North LGA and Amuda – Achara Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA.
Also inaugurated as part of the projects were a 2.1 kilometres Road each constructed at Amuzukwu Umuahia and Amuda Isuochi as solar-powered street light, multi- purpose solar dryer and a Civic Hall provided by the Governor in collaboration with the World Bank through NEWMAP for the people.
Commissioning the projects at the various venues, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said the problem of gully erosion is a major issue confronting some communities in the State, especially in Abia North.
He noted that gully erosion threatens families, public infrastructure including schools among others, adding that the effect is usually devastating.
Dr. Ikpeazu maintained that gully erosion eats gradually and steadily and may have serious consequences in future and expressed joy that the devastating effect of the gully erosion in both Amuzukwu and Amuda Isuochi have been checked.
According to the Governor, the menace of the gully erosion in those sites were beyond the capacity of the immediate communities and State government, hence, his government’s collaboration with the World Bank through the NEWMAP to arrest them permanently.
He also expressed happiness that the road constructions and other projects done for the communities by his intervention have restored life, economy and relief for the people.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Sam Nwogu and the Abia NEWMAP Project Coordinator, Engr. Izuchukwu Onwughara disclosed that the gully erosion sites were among the first five prioritized sites by the Abia State Government at the inception of NEWMAP in 2012 but work could not commence due to unavailability of counterpart funds until Governor Ikpeazu in 2015 approved the payment of counterpart funds for the two projects which activated the injection of more funds which made the intervention to take place. They informed that apart from the erosion remediation, and road construction, the project equally covered construction of civic centre, a borehole,
livelihood enhancement programme and multipurpose solar dryer for the indigenes.
They added that the projects which started in 2016 were completed in record time and according to specifications.
The cost of the two projects were put at 1.3 Billion Naira for Amuzukwu and 750 Million for Amuda, Isuochi.
Also speaking, the Umunneochi LGA Chairman, Chief Ifeanyi Madu commended Governor Ikpeazu for his resolve to remediate and control the gully erosion and carry out other projects in Umunneochi LGA and the State in Nigeria and assured him of their continuous support.
Contributing some Stakeholders including former PDP State Chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke from Isuochi and the Traditional Ruler of Amuzukwu – Ibeku Autonomous community, Eze John Ibezim thanked the Governor for the projects.
The two separate events project attracted the presence of the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Members of the State House of Assembly, former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon Eric Acho Nwakanma, Members of the State Executive Council, the State PDP Chairman, Rt Hon Asiforo Okere and Members of the State Working Committee of the Party as well as other Dignitaries.
