By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Federal Government has handed over the Jiwa-Gwagwa road rehabilitation and erosion control projects to the community.
The project was executed by the Ecological Project Office (EPO), Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation.
In his keynote address, Honourable Abdulmumin Muhammed Ari, member representing Nasarawa /Toto federal constituency, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari said the “project is expected to check flooding and gully erosion menace in the community and its environs.According to him, “The age long problem of gully erosion and flooding in this part of the country cannot be overemphasized. I have no doubts in my mind that this Federal Government’s intervention will bring a huge relief to this Community which have for a very long time been stressed by these ecological challenges,” he said.
In her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, EPO, Dr Habiba Lawal said the project was initiated through a request for an urgent Intervention forwarded to Ecological Project Office by the Emir of Jiwa in order to arrest the continuous flooding and erosion menace; and toavoid further environmental degradation, loss of lives and properties within the Community and its environs.”
She said “the commissioning and handing over of this project to the Community is expected to achieve the dual purpose of enabling this Community to take over and exercise ownership of the project, to ensure its maintenance and sustainability.”
Speaking at the commissioning and handing over of the Jiwa – Gwagwa erosion control and channelisation works in the community at the weekend, Alhaji Bala Barau, the Tafida Gwagwa commended the Ecological Project office for coming to their aid by the timely execution of the project.
Alhaji Bala who is the spokesman of the community told the gathering that before now members of the community had abandoned to road because of its state and the nefarious activities of criminals.
He disclosed that, “Before this project was started, this road was variously referred to as Bakassi road, Sambisa forest because it was taken over by criminals, many people could not pass here for fear of attack and molestation.
“Many of our women have lost their pregnancy because of the state of the road. But today we are happy that the Federal Government has remembered us. We are very grateful,” he said.
