By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Delta State government in collaboration with World Bank, has implemented the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to curb the menace of gully erosion in some communities, including Owanta Ewerobor in Ika North East LGA, Obomkpa and Ukwu-nzu in Aniocha North LGA.
The project also provided solar powered bore holes, solar powered rural electrification systems in three primary health care centers in some communities.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment in Delta State, Dr (Mrs) Oseji Mininim, stated this while delivering a paper on Climate Change Impacts And Other Environmental Issues at an event organized by the African Network For Environment And Economic Justice (ANEEJ) in Warri, recently.
Mininim, who was represented by the Director, Climate Change in the Ministry, Mrs Vivian Briggs, said the initiative was designed by the World Bank to reduce the risk of coastal degradation, improve coastal resources management, improve the livelihood and social welfare of coastal communities and enhance their resilience to the impacts of climate change and other related environmental hazards.
The Perm Sec also stated that the state government embarked on massive clearance of canals and natural waterways to forestall the menace of flooding and the resultant effect of water pollution and outbreak of water borne diseases in some towns and villages of the state.
She said: “Currently, the State Government is participating in the West Africa Coastal Area (WACA) Management Programme – an initiative designed by the World Bank aimed at reducing the risk of coastal degradation, improve coastal resources management, improve the livelihood and social welfare of coastal communities and enhance their resilience to the impacts of climate change and other related environmental hazards.
“The State Government also embarked on massive clearance of canals and natural waterways to forestall the menace of flooding and the resultant effect of water pollution and outbreak of water borne diseases in our towns and villages.”
On waste management, the Perm Sec pointed out that the State in collaboration with private Recycling companies is carrying out recycling of Polyethylene therephthalate (PET) bottles and between 2022 and 2023 over 1,000tonnes of waste have been received at the recycling plants.