The member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia state and also the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representative, Rt. Hon. Barrister Nkiruka Onyejeocha, has commissioned the erosion and flood control works at Oghighe/Urualla Ohukabi Aligbara/Ohukabi, Ndijibi in Oguduasa in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of the state.
The commissioning and handing over of the project which was attracted by the Honorable Member , was commissioned on Thursday, August 5, 2021.
The project was executed by the Federal government through the Ecological Fund Office, office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
In her remark, Honorable Onyejeocha, who was also representing the President, noted that the project is one of the 20 ecological intervention projects approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, for the first quarter of 2020 and was awarded by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), in June 2020.
The honourable, said;
“ the approval of this project is in tandem with President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge that no part of the country will suffer neglect owing to its geographical location or political inclination; because all parts of Nigeria are very dear to the President’s heart”.
She also noted that the project “will not only better assure the safety and wellbeing of citizens of surrounding communities, but will also improve their standard of living.”
Onyejocha added that the project will “mitigate the dangers, losses and damages associated with soil erosion and seasonal flooding that has plagued the area for decades.’
She expressed gratitude to President Buhari, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the Ecological Fund Office, the project contractor- Messrs. Foldams Engineering company limited, and the project consultant – Messrs. Salpa Limited for their doggedness in ensuring quality work and timely completion of the project.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Dr. Habiba M. Lawal, affirmed that the project was initiated through a request for an urgent Presidential Intervention by Honorable Nkiruka Onyejeocha, to arrest the continuous erosion, flooding and other ecological devastation within and around the affected communities.
Lawal noted that the commissioning and handing over of the project to Oguduasa communities, is to serve the dual purpose of enabling the communities take over and exercise ownership over the project and to ensure that the resources which the Federal Government had committed to the project will not be allowed to waste.
He expressed conviction that the intervention project will enhance socio-economic activities amongst the benefiting communities.
High-point of the event was a chieftaincy title conferred on Honorable Nkiruka Onyejeocha as ; Ada Di Oha Nma of Oguduasa, by Oguduasa communities.
Similarly, the Isuikwuato Development Union (IDU), led by her President General, Dr. Chukwuemeka Oluoha conferred an award of appreciation on, Messrs. Foldam Engineering Company Limited, Dr. Habiba M. Lawal of the Ecological Fund, Rt. Hon. Barrister Nkiruka Onyejeocha and others for their efforts towards making the project possible.