The Kogi State government and the World Bank assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) have signed contract for the stabilisation, reclamation and channeling of Adumu and Agassa erosion sites in Olamaboro and Okene local government areas of the state to tackle environmental degradation. The contract was signed at the Kogi Government House, Lokoja by the state Governor Yahaya Bell and the NEWMAP representatives alongside the contractors handling the projects.
Governor Bello said that his government cared about the safety of the environment where the people live.
He thanked the World Bank for providing huge financial support towards ensuring that issues of environmental degradation in the state and other parts of the country were reduced to the barest minimum.
Governor Bello also lauded the federal government for ensuring that concerns on environment were taken up with utmost seriousness.
The Governor urged the contractors to mobilise to the site on time and deliver within the 15 months’ time frame provided for in the details of the contracts
The NEWMAP Project Coordinator in the state, Barrister Ladi Ahmed Jatto, in her remarks stated that the governor has shown so much concern towards solving environmental issues, adding that despite its dwindling revenues, the state has been able to pay N900 million counterpart fund to facilitate and fast track the projects in the state.
The Project Coordinator further noted that based on the governor’s directives, NEWMAP in recent times awarded the contract for the Engineering Design of eight erosion sites which include: Ugwolawo Erosion site, Ogane Aji erosion site and Ankpa Gully Erosion Site.
Others are Etahi Gully Site, Ozuri Gully site, Omigbo River Channelization, Greater Lokoja water scheme, Afor Gam- Gam site and the permanent site of the Federal University, Felele all spread across the three senatorial district of the State.
She pointed out that the contractor had submitted the draft design for the greater Lokoja Water Works, which has been sent to Federal Control Office in Abuja for review.
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