By ONWUKWE EZERU

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has said that his state is among the

biggest beneficiary of NEWMAP in Nigeria.

The Governor who stated this yesterday during the flag-off ceremony of

7km Umuda-Ossah Road in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia

State said that the World Bank assisted project is being executed by

the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) Abia

State.

The Governor who was represented by Dr. Aham Uko, the Commissioner for Environment, said his administration was resolved to tackling the

erosion menace ravaging the State.

He reiterated his administration’s resolve to tackle the menace of

erosion in the State. Disclosing that Abia is the biggest beneficiary of  NEWMAP nationwide.

Ikpeazu cautioned the people against casting their votes for wrong

candidates in 2019 election, adding that the days of empty promises

were over.

He stated that the project was expected to be completed in 12 months,

stressing that over N500 million had already been made available for

it.

According to the Governor, the road project was very important to the

people of Abia because it would serve as a bye-pass from Ossah to

Ohafia, Arochukwu and the adjoining communities.

The project coordinator of NEWMAP Abia State Mr. Izuchukwu Onwughara

said the project was an additional work to the Umuagu/Umuda/Amafor

gully erosion project site.

“We have decided to do this road because if we don’t, it will spoil the

good work we have done in this area. We have enough funds already for

the execution of this project and we are starting-off immediately”, he

said.

Chairman House Committee on environment and member representing

Umuahia North State Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Kelechi

Onwuzuruike, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala represented by Mr. Sunday Iweala

and Chairman Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council HRH Eze Philip

Ajomiwe described the road project as welcome development in the

entire Ohuhu Community and Abia as a whole.