NEWMAP assures speedy completion of work at Ikot Uduak erosion site
The Cross River State World Bank Assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project- NEWMAP has assured the Ikot Uduak community of speedy completion of remedial work that is ongoing at the erosion site.
The project coordinator who doubles as the commissioner for International cooperation in the state, Dr. Inyang Asibong made the pledge when the village head of Ikot Uduak community in the Calabar Municipal Council area paid her a courtesy visit on Wednesday, September 14, 2022.
Asibong who spoke through a senior management staff, Sir Henry Onwe said that since the Etim Ekpo axis of the project site is 80% complete, their resolve is to start the Ikot Uduak portion of the remedial work as soon as the rains abate saying materials are on the ground already for the completion and commissioning of the work.
And responding, Her Highness, Deaconess(Princess) Efiowan Asuquo Asibong thanked NEWMAP for the warm reception on her visit and implored them to compel the contractor handling the project to expedite action and be proactive in addressing the difficulty faced by residents who are deprived of driving in and out of their houses. In addition, she drew attention to the risk houses near the corridor are exposed to due to the failure of the drainage work to channel water to the ravine in the erosion site.
Sir, Onwe urged the village head to dissuade the community from illegal sand mining which has adversely affected the intervention efforts of the government to remedy the erosion menace. Again, the monarch was asked to discourage the dumping of refuse in drains by the residents so as not to undermine the work done.
It would be recalled that NEWMAP last week handed over six rehabilitated gully erosion sites to community leaders from the intervention beneficiary areas in Atakpa, Ikot Anwantim, Nyangasang, Lemna-Federal Agriculture, Ikot Ekpo, and Edim Otop in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Council Areas.
By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)
