By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
Ondo State House of Assembly says it will continue to support every move that will bring succour to the people and fast-track more development in the State.
The House Committee on Petroleum, Environment, Bitumen, Energy and others led by its Chairman, Tope Akomolafe stated this during a visit to the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, (NEWMAP) in Akure.
The lawmakers who appreciated Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for releasing counterpart fund to ensure the State got enlisted in the intervention project, charged the agency to look inward and map out areas that need urgent intervention.
According to them, the agency is highly relevant in the advancement of communities in the State, pointing out that the Ala river in Akure needs prompt attention.
Members charged the Management to form synergy with the Committee to know areas of assistance in order to achieve its mandate.
Highliting the achievements of the Agency to the committee, the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Olafisoye Olawonu explained that NEWMAP is a World Bank assisted programme meant for erosion control which started in Nigeria in 2012.
He noted that in 2019 under the present administration,the State got enlisted with 25 sites mapped out and submitted to the World Bank with four sites approved for the first batch cutting across the three senatorial districts of the State, including Owo,Akure, Okitipupa and lrele local governments which have been completed.
The project coordinator informed that the projects were all encompassing with road infrastructure, erosion problems fixed , problem of waste management addressed and water channels well protected with wire nets .
“The Agency transverse the 18 Local Governments of the State to spot areas that need urgent erosion control intervention and four local governments which include, Ayeka in Okitipupa and river Jordan in lrele, Festus Adetula street, Owo and Orusunmibare street, Ijoka, Akure have benefitted and completed.”
He explained that the first three years from 2019-2022 of the project have lapsed and are now in another preparatory stage to start new projects.
