COMMUNITIES TOLD TO PROTECT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THEIR AREAS.

The Federal Government has advised benefiting communities of some of its completed projects to ensure their maximum maintenance and protection. The Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Bachir David Lawal represented by the Director General, Voice of Nigeria, Mr Osita Okechukwu gave the advice while inaugurating the first phase of Obinagu/Akpulu/Enugueze/Umunneobagu Soil Erosion and Flood Control Project in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu state.

Sequel to the devastating threat caused by flood and erosion in some communities in the Local Government Area, the Federal Government in 2010 approved the project which went through the hands of several contractors but was finally completed by Nostro Ventures Limited. The Project with a catch pit of about 19.6 meters and 19.5 meters drainages needs a second phase to ensure its sustainability.

The Director General, Voice of Nigeria who led a team of Buhari Support Organization to the project emphasized that it suffered delays as a result of logistic problems, difficulty of terrain and unbridled corruption. According to Mr Okechkwu, it is due to President Buhari’s raging war against corruption that facilitated the handing over of the project to the benefiting communities.

Mr Okechukwu thanked the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr Bachir David Lawal, the Enugu State Governor, executing Agency Ecological Fund, traditional rulers, the consultant, MessersCarsul Limited for their immense contributions during the execution and eventual completion of the project. The Contractor who handled the project, Mr UcheUsuwathanked God forthe  successful inauguration of the project.

The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, represented by the Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control, Mr Felix Okeke explained that the project was one of the many intervention projects of the Federal Government across the country. He said the project was to mitigate the effect of erosion on the people.

The Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egumgbe whose community benefited from the project described the gesture as a landmark achievement. Other members of the community,Igwe Innocent Nwaba, Igwe Emma Enengwu and MrIkechukwuEze thanked the Federal Government for the assistance, while calling for the prompt take off of the second phase of the project.

The community which had asphalt roads and drainage, courtesy of the Federal Government pledges to guard the project jealously.

IFEOMA AMUTA