Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal has inaugurated the N3 billion erosion control project tagged: “Mabera Storm Water Management Works” and others in the state.
Tambuwal inaugurated the erosion projects on Wednesday, January 06, in Sokoto.
The project consists of 18.5 kilometres enlarged drainage system across Mabera Jelani, Mabera Iddi, Nakasarin Barebari, Nakasarin Nagaji, Salame and Trade Fair areas in Sokoto township.
The project is being executed under the World Bank-assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), in partnership with the state government.
Tambuwal while inaugurating the project, said that the state government had settled its counterpart funding of N1.4 billion since 2017, adding that some procedures had delayed execution of the project.
The governor said the projects were aimed at reducing the vulnerability to soil erosion, floods and other complex environmental challenges bedeviling the state, threatening infrastructure and livelihood of people.
According to him, the flood experienced in Mabera and suburbs predated his administration as the previous governments could not offer good efforts toward addressing the menace.
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“My administration is committed to ensure lasting solution to environmental and other problems thereby ensuring the settlement of project counter fund since 2017.
“The programmes were approved under the project comprised Mabera Storm Water Management Works, rehabilitation of Lugu Dam, construction of Earth Dam at Rafin Duma and Sakkwal.
“Others were Yarbulutu River Bank Erosion Control Works, Flood and Erosion Control Works at Goronyo and Durbawa areas.
“Smaller sites in the project included 1.9 kilometres, 1.5 kilometres and two kilometers Flood Control works at Tureta, Sayyinna and Specialist Hospital in Sokoto,” Tambuwal said.
He said that some people embarked on political colourations capitalising on the delay to criticise the present administration.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Tambuwal implored people to have good understanding of the government programmes and ensure constructive criticisms that would encourage his government to execute people-oriented projects.
Earlier speaking, the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Sagir Bafarawa, said the projects were in fulfilment of Tambuwal’s pledges toward uplifting people’s lives.