AWKA – (Environment Ministry Report) – The Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril has called on the Anambra State University to as a matter of priority, establish a National Centre for Erosion Studies to address the alarming rate of flood and gully erosion devastating the state and other parts of the South – East.
Ibrahim Jibril made the call at the recently in Awka, the Anambra State capital during his working visit to the state where he inspected some completed and on-going erosion-control projects. He revealed that the project is being executed by the Nigeria Erosion & Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) which is a part of his Ministry in partnership with the Ecological Fund Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Accompanied by the National Project Co-ordinator of NEWMAP, Salish Dahiru, the Minister expressed serious concern over the monstrous gully erosion that has ravaged communities in several locations. He observed that the disaster has resulted to the loss of lives, devastation of homes and severely dislocated the socio-economic activities of the enterprising people of the State and other parts of the South East.
He emphasized that such a situation must not be allowed to continue by a government at the centre that is committed to saving the Nigerian eco-systems, lives and prosperity as well as enhancing the living conditions of the people. Jibril disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari is particularly concerned about the environmental devastation in the South – East brought about by flood and gully erosion, and has directed that all degraded land must be recovered for the good of the affected communities.
According to him, it was in compliance with the presidential directive that the Federal Government enhanced the activities of its three windows on erosion control in the country, namely: the Ecological Fund Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government; the Federal Ministry of Environment and NEWMAP, in order to explore additional strategies for addressing all the areas of concern.
In addition, the Minister called for concerted efforts and synergy among various stakeholders such as the Federal, States and Local Governments with emphasis on Town Planners and Structural Engineers as well as Health, Land and Environmental professionals together with the benefiting communities to address the menace.
While noting that the common problem in the State was gully erosion with a small land mass that is threatening the living condition of the people, Jibril stressed on the need for a sound land management system to ensure that building codes are strictly adhered to. He expressed satisfaction with the work done at the Executive Business District where hitherto flood and erosion were threatening the existence of public buildings such as the Federal High Court, State Government establishments, roads and other structures.
“I am very pleased to now see the positive transformation in this area. The degraded land has now been recovered and public buildings and facilities are now saved with normal activities back in place, “the Minister added.
