FG MITIGATES FLOOD, GULLY EROSION IN OWERRI

PRESS RELEASE

FG MITIGATES FLOOD, GULLY EROSION IN OWERRI

The Federal government through the Ecological Fund Office (EFO), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) has intervened in the flood and gully erosion challenges in Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri Imo State.

At the commissioning ceremony of the projects, President, Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Chairman House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu said that the importance of the project to the polyethnic cannot be overemphasized as it is expected to address the devastating effects of erosion and flood challenge in the environment. He noted that the Federal Government intervention would bring a huge relief generally to the Polyethnic Community that have for a very long time suffered the problems of these ecological challenges.

While appreciating the Contractor and consultant for the completion and commissioning of the project, the President highlighted his administration impacts in Nigeria especially in the Eastern region.

He made references to some infrastructural projects such as the new runway recently built for Enugu International Airport in Enugu, and other economic and Agricultural initiative programs.

On his part, the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Deputy governor, Prof. Placid Njoku expressed his joy over the commissioning of the project. Appreciating the Federal government for the project well executed, he said that the commissioning of the project was a marvelous thing that happened in Federal Polytechnic Nekede during the tenure of Dr Arimanwata the Rector of the institute.

Uzodimma commended the Rector`s pro-active leadership and influence in the development of the polytechnic.

Earlier in her  welcome address, the Permeant Secretary Ecological Fund Office (EFO), Dr Habiba Lawal , represented by the Deputy Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control Department , Engr. Udochi Nwachukwu, said that the project was initiated through a request for an urgent intervention forwarded to the Ecological Fund Office by the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Dr. Engr. Michael  Chidiebere  Arimanwata in order to arrest the continuous flooding and erosion menace and to avoid further environmental degradation, loss of lives and properties within the school  and its environs.

Lawal maintained that the commissioning and handover of the project to the school was expected to achieve dual purpose of enabling the Polytechnic authority to take over and exercise ownership over the project, to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.

In his remark, the Rector of the Institution, Dr. Engr. Michael Chidiebere Arimanwata while appreciating the Federal government, revealed that in 2018 when he was newly appointed as the Rector of the Polytechnic, the road was in deplorable shape but today the structural design he forwarded to EFO had yielded result.

According to him, “flood can now find its course to drainages when it rains.”

The Traditional Ruler of Nekede Community, Eze Godwin Mmerenini, Dibia 1 of Umudibia, commended the Federal Government and EFO for the completion of the project and pleaded with EFO for a phase 2 intervention in Ihiagwa-Uzommiri road.

Federal Polytechnic Nekede Dance Troupe entertained guests at the occasion.

Present at the occasion were the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, the local government chairman Owerri Municipal Council, Staff of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, other members of the Community, and members of the Press.

-END-

Nnorom Ugomma Julian

Principal Executive Officer 1

Some of the Projects

The Chairman House Committee on Media and Publicity, Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, cutting tape, with him are the Deputy governor, Prof. Placid Njoku(R) and the Deputy Director, Soil Erosion and Flood Control Department, Engr. Udochi Nwachukwu(L) while others look on.