FG commissions gully erosion projects in Enugu


The Federal Government of Nigeria has commissioned and completed the gully erosion that has led to loss of lives and properties in Ekulu and PRODA communities of Enugu state.

The project is meant to arrest loss of lives and properties in the communities. 

The Director-General VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu who represented President Muhamadu Buhari at the event explained that Ekulu was the first town in Enugu situated within the Onyeama Coal Mines to be revamped by the federal government.

He said the Federal Government’s decision to consolidate on infrastructural provisions would produce employment for the teeming Nigerian masses.

Reiterating on Buhari’s unrelenting efforts in taking Nigeria to higher heights, Mr. Okechukwu eulogized his prudent management of public funds which was part of what the Ekulu and PRODA communities and  indeed Enugu State were witnessing hence the need to consolidate on such achievements. 

He  urged the communities to maintain the completed project.

Earlier in her remarks , the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office(EFO), Dr. Habiba Lawal who was  represented by the Deputy Director, Erosion & Flood Control, EFO, Mr. Mathais Eluma explained that the project was a Federal Government project executed through the Ecological Fund Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

According to her, the approval was made considering the urgent request made by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on the need to arrest flooding and continuous erosion menace ravaging the area and to avoid further loss of lives and property.

She commended the contractor, consultant and the EFO staff who worked tirelessly to complete the project at the specified period without compromising on standard.

She charged the benefiting communities to ensure ownership, maintenance and sustainability of the project in a bid not to allow money invested in it to waste.

Ekulu Poultry Community of Enugu State where Project Development Institute, Enugu (PRODA) is situated gathered to receive the Federal Government officials with joy over the award, completion, commissioning as well as hand-over of erosion project to them for onward maintenance and upkeep.

According to the communities, the Federal Government of Nigeria intervened at the right time as the area before the intervention was taken over by hoodlums that made the area impassable. 

“The danger associated to the same area according to them has taken lots of lives and has made the PRODA institute to move out their equipment from the workshop thereby leaving the institute unfunctional.

Responding to the efforts of the Federal Government, the representative of the Acting Director-General, PRODA, Dr. David E. Ezemokwe, on behalf of the PRODA community expressed joy on the intervention by the Federal Government. 

“It would be recalled that the scope of work which included the provision of asphalt road from Enugu- Onitsha road to the project site and extending to the nearby community Ekulu; Construction of side drains and other drainage structures such as ring and box culverts and reclamation of landslide portion of the workshop premises with retaining wall to support the embankment were adhered to with 100% completion.” he said.

Present at the event were; the traditional  ruler of Ekulu community, representatives from PRODA and members of the Press.

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