ONDO ASSEMBLY PARTNERS "NEWMAP" TO TACKLE ECOLOGICAL DISASTERS

***As Environmental Agency Identifies Hindrances in Combating Gully,Surface Erosions

Ifabiyi Calls for a Review of Rest 21 Sites Begging for Construction,Recounts Recent Flood in Ore

The Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP),an agency for intervention on natural disasters on Tuesday expressed its dissatisfaction on factors mitigating the agency in combating ecological problems in the state.

 NEWMAP state Projects coordinator,Engr Olafisoye Olawole stated this during the interface visit of the house committee on environment to the agency in Akure,the Ondo state capital.

Engr Olafisoye who condemned Ayetoro sea incursion in Ilaje local government area and incessant flooding in other parts of the state in recent times,identified climate change and littering refuses on waterways by residents as some of the remote causes of gully and surface erosions, adding that the agency has been magnanimous to manage the situation amidst poor economic system of the country.

While calling for urgent intervention of Ondo state government in tackling the menace,the project coordinator of the agency explained further that only four out of twenty five sites earmarked for construction were able to be executed due to inadequate funding,urging residents of the state to plant tree to prevent erosion and other allied situations.

Expliciting projects completed by the agency which include one at Ode Ayeka in Okitipupa local government area and three others, Engr. Olafisoye appealed to the state government to provide the agency with operational vehicles in order to ease mobilisation of its personnel to sites for effective transit.

"It is our delight to welcome you to our office for the first time"

"Problems confronting our agency are numerous as government organisation in tackling gully and surface erosions in the state"

"Out of 25 sites on our list,only 4 including that of Ayeka-Okitipupa was completed due to inadequate funding,but we're assuring you rest 21 would be accomplished as hoped"

"We're appealing to this committee to render us your help as we need more operational vehicles from the government to provide for easy access to sites"; NEWMAP boss stated.

Responding to the twenty five sites penciled down by the agency,the lawmaker representing Odigbo state constituency and member of the house committee,Hon Ifabiyi Olatunji reminded the agency of the recent flood in Ore,called for a review of the enlisted sites, informing NEWMAP to place Ore town among those drenching areas that are awaiting quick interventions of governments and the agency.

Ifabiyi,while expressing displeasure over the flood which deserted many residents from their houses this year in the headquarters of Odigbo local government area of the state, called on Ondo state government as a matter of urgency to consider the cosmopolitan town as economic centre of the sunshine state for proper channelization of waterways to avoid loss of life and properties of residents in the area.

"I am directing it to you on behalf of this committee if we can get list of the rest 21 sites begging for intervention"

"Like Ore in Odigbo local government this year where residents fled away from their houses due to flood must be included even if it will call for review";Ifabiyi noted.

Hon Tope Komolafe,the chairman standing house committee on environment who led other members to office of the agency in Akure extolled NEWMAP stakeholders for always being proactive in time of emergency.

While also calling for an uninterrupted synergy between the committee and the NEWMAP, he asked the agency not to feel reluctant in requesting for the assistance of the committee where and when necessary.

Sam Mercy Ajide,

Special Assistant on Media & Publicity

For:Office of the Honourable Member,

Odigbo Constituency 1

@ODHA