Governor Peter Obi has repeated his appeal to the Federal Government for more proactive measures on the Oko-Nanka erosion sites. Speaking at Nanka erosion site when he accompanied the Presidential Technical Team on Ecological Projects in the South-East on assessment visits to some erosion sites, Governor Obi said immediate intervention would save the area from further devastation.
The sites visited include Umuchiana Ekwulobia erosion site, Eziokke and Nanka erosion sites. Governor Obi noted that while the fund approved for the Nanka Erosion control project was grossly inadequate, the contractor failed to use available money to stabilize the area, regretting that many houses had been washed away since the project was flagged off. He said the State should be allowed to take charge of the supervision of the project or be allowed to execute the project and get reimbursed later. Governor Obi requested the President to visit the sites personally and see things for himself.
At Ezioke Erosion site Governor Obi expressed worry that many houses were on the verge of falling into the gully this rainy season unless something urgent was done. He explained that the state used its resources to control and restrain the Umuchiana Ekwulobia erosion site which he recalled claimed many houses, farmland and cut off major access road to the area and expressed the hope that Federal Government will further take measures to fortify the site.
Commenting on the Nanka erosion control project, the leader of the team Mr. Emeka Eze expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of the contractor. Mr. Eze said the contractor had no engineering solution to the challenge and wondered how the contractor could allow the menace to claim more buildings and land while on site. He explained that their visit followed repeated appeals by Governor Obi to President Goodluck Jonathan for the team’s proper assessment of the situation and intervention on the sites.
The team leader assured that they will make strong recommendations that will ensure immediate federal government intervention and commended Governor Obi for his outstanding commitment to the welfare of the people, noting that his style of leadership has uplifted the state.
The Traditional ruler of Oko, Igwe Laz Ekwueme lamented that the people of the community were living in perpetual fear and requested the federal government to respond without further delay while thanking the Governor for his unrelenting efforts to get the situation solved.
