From Odinaka Nwaeze Mbaocha, Ebonyi
Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Maintenance Project (NEWMAP), Ebonyi State, has resettled 900 flood victims in the state.
NEWMAP programme Coordinator, Philip Echiegu, stated this in Abakaliki during the launch of the distribution of some erosion and flood relief items to flood victims in the state to cushion the effect of the disaster on them, even as he noted that the agency had created over 1,500 direct and indirect jobs in the state since 2013 when it came into Ebonyi State to intervene in flood.
Echiegu noted that out of 144 complaints received from project communities, NEWMAP has successfully addressed 43 of them, adding that the agency produced a strong plan for Abakaliki Capital City as part of it’s effort to ensure that the problem of flood is completely eradicated in the capital city.
“It is estimated that NEWMAP has created over 1,500 direct and indirect jobs in the state since inception. The project has also resettled a total number of 900 flooded affected persons within the corridors of the four ongoing intervention sites in Abakaliki Capital City including Iyiokwu, Odunukwe, Iyiudele, Ebyia River with the sum of N405,635,000. We have received a total number of 144 complaints from the project communities. We have been able to address 43 of them satisfactorily.
“Since the beginning of the project, the total amount that has been expended in the project is $33,713,555.68 and also N290,798,000 has been expended on the projects in the state since commencement in 2013. As part of the NEWMAP efforts to further sensitise the communities to remain engaged in erosion and flood management in the state, we are here today for the distribution of the items procured with funds from the International Development Association (IDA), Social Climate Change Fund and Global Environmental Facility Fund, he stated.”
Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi was represented at the flag off by his deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, who described erosion and flood as the problems the state was having until the NEWMAP came on board and tackled them.
“In Abakaliki here in the very recent past, erosion became a very disturbing menace in the state capital where homes and businesses have been destroyed, lives have been taken, and people have been maimed as a result of the effects of flood and erosion in Abakaliki capital. But by coming on board of the NEWMAP, we are already singing the Hallelujah song, he stated.”
