FG INTERVENES IN KOKONA ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES

FG INTERVENES IN KOKONA ECOLOGICAL CHALLENGES

In the bid to save local communities from ecological disasters, the Federal Government has completed and commissioned Soil Erosion Control and Road Improvement works in kokona local government area of Nasarawa State.

The projects were among those approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017. In her key note address, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia. Aisha Abubakar who represented Mr. President said the project was aimed at addressing the devastating effects of flooding and bad road suffered by the community over the years.

Abubakar noted that the Federal Government’s execution of projects across the country demonstrated the sincerity of purpose of the Buhari led administration towards entrenching justice, equity, and fair play to all and sundry.

Hajia Abubakar implored the host community to cherish the project by preventing indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the drainage channels. “It is the responsibility of the community to own and maintain the project to ensure its sustainability” she said.

The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office (EFO) Dr. Habiba Lawal who was represented by the Deputy Director of soil erosion control; Engr. Udochi Nwachukwu had earlier said in her welcome address that the project was initiated through a request for an urgent intervention by a House of Representative Member, representing Karu/Kokona Federal constituency Hon.Gaza Jonathan.

According to her, the commissioning and handing over of the project to the benefitting community was expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling the host community to take over and exercise ownership over the project to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.

Lawal hinted that the timely completion of the project was made possible through the effort of the project contractor, who worked tirelessly to ensure minimum loss of time in the project implementation schedule.

She enjoined the people of Kokona Local Government area to take over the project and sustainably maintain it to avoid wastage of federal government’s resources; she also commended them for their cooperation with the contractors by maintaining peace and order during the execution of the project.

In his reaction, a House of Representative Member, representing the community, Hon.Gaza Jonathan lauded the effort of the Federal Government and Ecological Fund Office (EFO) over the execution of the project, stating that the road had brought succor and ease of transportation among farmers and the community at large. Hon. Jonathan stated that the project was a testimony to the present administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration.

Present at the event were the Chairman of Kokona Local Govt, Hon.Saidu Kuruki, the traditional ruler; Mr. Lawrence Sylvester ayih the 2^nd among others.