Govt set to execute N11b erosion projects in Anambra

Posted by admin Anambra, State News Tuesday, January 4th, 2011

ALL is now set by the Federal Government to implement the N11 billion erosion control projects in some parts of Anambra State.

Senator Annie Okonkwo, who hinted of the government’s resolve to execute the projects, urged the state government to work with Abuja to ensure that a competent firm is short-listed for the exercise designed to tackle some of the worst erosion sites, especially the life-threatening ones in Anambra.

He, however, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, to call his men to order and dismantle some of the over 500 police checkpoints on the roads linking Ogun, Edo and Delta states en route Onitsha, Anambra State.
“These legal and illegal police points have been found to constitute an embarrassment to road-users, particularly during the Yuletide when there is high volume of traffic on the route”, he said.

Okonkwo, who is the deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Ecology, told journalists who sought to know what the government had done about the erosion menace in the state, that “a lot was being done” by the affected authorities.
The lawmaker said he worked assiduously with the Executive arm of the government to ensure that the money was approved for the projects without further delay.

According to him, “I got the Federal Government to declare Anambra State an erosion disaster area. As a result, the sum of N11 billion was approved and released for it. That is a good starting point as we actually need foreign assistance in terms of the funds and technical assistance in tackling the menace”.
He appealed to the people and the state government to ensure that the contract was given to a reputable company for execution.

On his reelection bid, Okonkwo said he had clearly demonstrated what it takes to represent the zone, adding that he had been liaising with his co-legislators in other committees to give issues concerning the state adequate attention.

He said a bill sponsored by him, which is popularly known as “bread and butter bill”, is awaiting third and final reading before passage.

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