Akpabio inaugurates N1.69bn erosion control project in A’Ibom
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio on Sunday inaugurated an erosion control project at Ibiaku and Nduetong Oku communities in Uruan and Uyo Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the N1.69 billion project initiated in 2018, the minister said that it is one of the 18 ecological intervention projects approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in the first quarter of 2018.
He commended the president for intervening in the area, noting that the project would stabilise the socio -economic well-being in the two communities.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this federal government’s intervention will bring a huge relief to this communities which have for a long time been stressed by this ecological challenge.
“The current administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has shown commitment to tackling environmental problems in rural areas across the country,’’ he said.
Akpabio called on Akwa Ibom people to continue to support the federal government to deliver its electioneering promises.
Deputy Director in the Ecological Fund Office, Nwachukwu Nwachukwu, said that the project would help to arrest the continuous erosion and flood in the communities.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the office, Dr. Habiba Lawal, the deputy director urged residents of the communities to protect the project.
He also urged them to refrain from dumping waste in drainage and stop all forms of mining near the project.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta, Sen. Ita Enang, thanked the president for the project, saying that apart from solving the ecological challenges affecting the area, the project has created jobs for youths of the area.
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Chairman of Ndueotong Local Government Area, Obong Aniefiok Samuel, noted that steep gullies have almost cut off the council from the neighbouring community in Uruan Local Government Area.
Samuel also noted that erosion almost sunk the famous EKASUS secondary and technical college before the federal government intervened.
