TheCable

The federal government has handed over gully erosion and flood control works at Oghoghe/Urualla Ohukabi Aligbara/Ohukabi Ndijibe in Oguduasa, Isuikwuato local government area of Abia state to a contractor.

The road, which was constructed in 1975, was cut off by a huge gully caused by several years of erosion.

For over 20 years, residents of the community waded through a bush path diversion to get to various destinations.

While handing over the project to Messrs Foldams Engineering Company Limited on Friday, Habiba Lawal, permanent secretary of the ecological fund office, office of the secretary to the government of the federation, said reconstruction of the road is one of 20 ecological intervention projects approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the first quarter of 2020.

Lawal, who was represented by Collins Igwe, a director in the agency, said the contract was awarded by the EFO’s tenders’ board.

“It is the resolve of the present administration that no part of the country suffers any neglect, owing to its geographical location or political consideration,” he said.

Lawal said the project was initiated through a request for an urgent intervention forwarded to the agency by Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, lawmaker representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency in the national assembly.

He said when completed, the project would “end the continuous soil erosion and flooding” ravaging Oguduasa communities.

“This will also go a long way in mitigating the impact of associated flooding being experienced within Oguduasa communities,” he said.

“The intervention is to be implemented for the overall wellbeing of the communities.”

The director implored residents of the area to give the contractor and consultant the needed support and cooperation by ensuring the safety of their lives and equipment.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Onyejeocha said the project could not be executed in 2007 “because of a lack of design.”

The lawmaker said she reminded the president about the erosion, when she accompanied traditional rulers from Oguduasa on a courtesy visit to Aso Rock.

“I reminded the president about the road as a condition for my constituency to vote for him. In 2019, the Ecological Fund Office visited the constituency and identified 10 erosion sites,” the lawmaker said, adding: “Just two weeks ago, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved it.”

Onyejeocha thanked Buhari for the approval of the project, saying tackling the erosion menace would bring relief to affected communities.

“The road is critical to the economy of the area and the gully erosion poses serious danger to the lives of the natives, motorists and commuters,” he said.

“The erosion site also provides a safe haven for kidnappers, robbers and rapists, who regularly attack unsuspecting travelers.”

Farukuoye Adeyinka, the consultant, said the project would be delivered between four and six months.

Okey Udeh, traditional ruler of Oguduasa Autonomous Community in Isuikwuato, thanked the president and Onyejeocha for coming to their rescue.

He said the area had been subjected to untold socio-economic hardship, due to the erosion.

“Our communities have been cut off from our neighbouring communities. Our farmlands have been washed away, hampering economic development in our area,” the monarch said.

At the ceremony where the federal government handed over the project on Friday

Journalists who attended the event