FG COMMISSIONS EROSION CONTROL PROJECT IN OWO, ONDO STATE.

PRESS RELEASE

FG COMMISSIONS EROSION CONTROL PROJECT

IN OWO, ONDO STATE.

The Federal Government over the weekend, commissioned and handed over the erosion control of flooded area and road improvement project in Owo, Ondo state.  The project as approved by the President in 2018, was expected to address the devastating effect of erosion and flood menace in the community.

Speaking at the inauguration and handing over, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Honourable Minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, stated that the completion of the project underscored the sincerity of President Buhari led administration to entrench justice, equity and fair play to all Nigeria.  He noted that the project would enhance the living standard of the people in the community and its environs and at the same time, reduce dangers to lives and properties associated with erosion and persistent flooding that had been experienced in the community in recent times.

In his remark, the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, (SAN), represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu commended the Federal Government for the laudable project and wonderful assistance they brought to Owo community and Ondo State at large.  He admonished the community to imbibe the right attitude by preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage channels.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), Dr. Habiba Lawal, represented by Mr. Eluma Mathias, Director in the Soil Erosion and Flood Control department Ecological Fund Office, in her address said the project was initiated through a request for an urgent intervention forwarded to the Ecological Fund Office by the late Imperial Majesty Oba (Dr). David Victor Folagbede Olateru Olagbegi III (CFR), the Olowo of Owo Kingdom to arrest the continuous erosion, flooding and other ecological challenges in Owo town and to avoid further environment degradation, loss of lives and properties.

She revealed that the commissioning and handover of the project was to enable the host community take over and exercise ownership, ensure its maintenance and sustainability so that resources committed by the government would not be a waste.

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo Kingdom receiving the project on behalf of the community, commended the Federal Government for the kind gesture and pleaded for the quick completion of the final phase of the project.  He pleaded with the federal government for their urgent intervention in other areas of the Kingdom that had been negatively impacted by erosion.  Oba Ajibade assured the federal government that they had taken over the ownership of the project and promised to protect and judiciously use it.

The Chairman, Owo Local Government, Hon. Chief Samuel Adegbegi in his vote of thanks applauded the federal government for coming to their rescue and pleaded for more interventions in other areas bedeviled with erosion and flood.

Present at the event were High Chief, Senior Omo-Olowo, Chief Ekungba, cabinet members and members of the community.

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Obegolu, Amala G. C.

These are some of the erosion control projects

R-L: His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Honourable Minister of state for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, the Secretary to the State Governor, Princess Oladunni Odu and Mr. Eluma Mathias, Director in the Soil Erosion and Flood Control department, EFO during the inauguration.