Delta Govt Assures Communities of Imminent Intervention on Erosion Crisis

The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to securing urgent intervention to address the severe gully erosion threatening the Ogbeozoma, Vanguard, and Amachai communities, assuring residents that efforts are underway to provide lasting relief.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Ejiro Jamani, disclosed that the state government is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to tackle the environmental challenge.

According to him, Delta State has fulfilled its obligations by paying the required N1 billion counterpart funding and completing critical project requirements, including engineering designs, geotechnical investigations, and Environmental and Social Management Plans. He noted that all relevant documents have been submitted for approval.

Jamani further revealed that officials from the EIB and the Federal Project Management Unit recently visited the affected communities to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the erosion situation.

While appealing to the relevant authorities to expedite the approval process, he stressed that the state government remains fully committed to ensuring the project is approved and implemented as quickly as possible.

“The people are living in fear, but the Delta State Government is doing everything possible to ensure the project is approved and executed,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, disclosed that rehabilitation work on the first five kilometres of the Trans-Warri/Ode-Itsekiri Bridges access road has reached 49.5 per cent completion. He added that work on Okowa Crescent in Ughelli is now 99 per cent complete.

Izeze made the disclosure during an inspection of the projects, explaining that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approved the rehabilitation of the access road to complement the Trans-Warri/Ode-Itsekiri Bridges project and enhance connectivity within the area.

Expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far, he said the projects would significantly improve transportation and stimulate economic growth across the state.

Stakeholders, including the Special Project Director of the Trans-Warri Road and Bridges Project, Chief Otimeyin Adams, and the member representing Warri South, Hon. Tuoyo Ebigbeyi, commended Governor Oborevwori for the initiative.

They described the road project as a vital infrastructure asset that would drive development and attract investment to the riverine communities.