Ekiti State DEputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu (2nd left) inaugurating the N6.2m Aiya Flood and Erosion Control Project, Afao Quarters, Ikere-Ekiti... on Monday. With her are (left - right) Ikere Local Government Caretaker Chairman, Mr. Bamidele Adesoji, Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Government Affairs, Mr. Funminiyi Afuye (2nd left) and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Bola Fakunle.
About N5 billion is required to effectively tackle erosion in Ekiti State, the government said yesterday.
It was at the inauguration of the Aiya Flood and Erosion Control Project at Afao, Ikere-Ekiti by Governor Kayode Fayemi, through his deputy, Prof Modupe Adelabu.
The government disbursed N64 million on the project which was inaugurated as part of activities commemorating the third year anniversary of the Fayemi administration.
The governor noted that the hilly topography of Ekiti exposes many parts of the state to flooding and erosion and that his government considered Aiya site as one of the major environmental challenges it has to tackle without any hesitation.
He said: “It is against this background that the government indentified critical areas that require urgent attention and the Aiya Flood and Erosion Control Project, Ikere was conceived and awarded for construction, though the community had approached the previous government for assistance without any positive response.”
Fayemi disclosed that with the completion of the Aiya Flood and Erosion Control Project, his administration has sunk over N1 billion to tackle ecological-related problems in the state within the past three years.
Relying on reports of commissioned studies, the governor informed that more than N5 billion would be required to combat flooding and erosion problems in the state even as he reiterated his administration’s commitment projects that will make life more comfortable for the people.
In her opening remarks, the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, explained while the government embarked upon flood and erosion control projects.
According to her, it was to prevent avoidable loss of lives and hard-earned properties in the state.
She explained that the administration inherited volumes of complaints on the menace of flood and erosion when it assumed office three years ago.
Dr. Eniola said some of the problems have been attended to while others which have been identified and being tackled.
Commending the governor for the speedy completion of the project and the thorough supervision that guaranteed quality job, the commissioner appealed to the government to consider and approve the funding of the Phase II of the project to prevent damage of properties in the affected areas.
She also appealed to residents to refrain from discharging waste into canals and drainage channels, pointing out that the resources being deployed to de-silt the drains could be used to provide other amenities.
Last modified: October 22, 2013