Delta State Government has charged the management team and immediate stakeholders of the European Investment Bank assisted Delta State Nigeria Adaptation Climate-Erosion and Watershed Project (Delta State NEWMAP-EIB) to increase her capacity towards achieving a holistic success for the Phase II of the Project, as it prepares to commence operations in the approved erosion and storm water sites in the state.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Tommy Jamani gave the charge when he chaired a Joint Steering /Technical Committees Meeting of Delta State NEWMAP-EIB, held in his office, in Asaba, today.
The Commissioner who was in company of the Functioning Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Godwin Enone, implored the management of the project to address the issue of erosion and associated gullies within her mandate areas through the European Investment Bank to guarantee environmental sustainability in the state, as captured by the MORE agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Mr. Jamani said the prioritization of the
Amachai/Ogbezoma Erosion and Storm Water Project, as well as the Vanguard Area Erosion Site in Okpanam, the heart of the state capital territory by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is beginning to yield fruitful result, as civil work is expected to commence soon following the presentation of the work plan of the projects.
The commissioner, in the meeting, called on all stakeholders in Okpanam community to cooperate and support the consultancy firms expected to work with them by jettisoning all forms of illegal levy that will mar the progress of work in the community.
While appreciating the governor for providing the enabling environment through the payment of N1.3 billion counterpart funding to key into the project of the European Investment Bank, Mr. Jamani appreciated the members of Steering/Technical Committees of Delta State NEWMAP-EIB for their technical advice toward the commencement of the project in the state.
The State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha who showcased a six-month-work plan power-point presentation before the members of the Joint Steering/Technical Committees, to kick-start the commencement of the project in the state, informed the members of the committees that engagement with the National Project Office, in a meeting in Abuja, was fruitful and the project was said to be disbursement effective.
He assured project intervention communities that the project was disbursement effective and ready for commencement of civil works as soon as the authorizing environment launches the project in Abuja within the month.
The Project Coordinator said when this milestone is achieved, activities preparatory to commencement of the intervention will start in Amachai/Ogbeozoma and Vanguard Area Erosion and Storm water Sites.
Mr. Nwaokocha appealed for the support of the state government through her works agencies to take charge of some link roads connecting the NEWMAP mandate areas to accommodate further link roads by reducing erosion menace in the community.
Highlight of the meeting which was well attended by concerned stakeholders, including the representatives of line ministries, departments and agencies of government, was the approval of the six-month-work plan by the State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Tommy Jamani, after a unanimous voice vote by the members of the Steering/Technical Committee of the Project.