PROACTIVE MEASURES UNDERWAY TO STOP EROSION IN ENUGU STATE

The Enugu State Government is set to inaugurate over six hundred million naira World Bank-assisted projects in erosion control In the State.

The State Director, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project NEWMAP, Mr. Vincent Obeta stated this while briefing newsmen on other interventions of the Agency in Enugu State.

According to Mr. Obeta, the project which was financed by World Bank in collaboration with Federal and State Governments had reclaimed land washed away at the Ajalli Water Scheme.

The completed site at Ajali, that site came as a result of the erosion menace that nearly took away the Urban Water supply system in Enugu State so it has been completed and then what we are now, is at the stage of handover to the Government then the Government to the Community.

Mr. Obeta also explained that Enugu State Government had already set up the State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency as a measure to sustain the project at the expiration of the World Bank project by year 2021.

We have some volunteers that are carrying out research,  looking at the kind of soil we have , looking at our drainage systems, relatively between the State Ministry of Works and Road Construction with respect to Environmental management. So that we can proactively address issues instead of waiting for the point where we are going to damage control.

Our Correspondent quoted Mr. Obeta as saying that some proactive measures had been taken by NEWMAP to stop erosion in the State and that advocacy programmes were on-going to educate people on the dangers and prevention of erosion.

OBINNA OGBUKA