The war against flooding, erosion and other ecological challenges in Ekiti State, on Tuesday, received a boost as the state government has procured four heavy duty equipment to give relief to residents.
The Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, who spoke during the inauguration of the heavy duty equipment, in Ado-Ekiti, said the procurement of the facilities were made possible by Gov. Kayode Fayemi’s collaboration with the World Bank.
The equipment inaugurated were procured under the World Bank-assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
They are two Amphibious Excavators and two Articulated Lowbed Trucks, which were purchased to facilitate dredging and channelisation of waterways to save residents and neighbourhoods from flood disasters and for effective erosion control.
The inauguration was part of activities to mark the third anniversary of Gov. Fayemi -led administration.
The Deputy Governor, who performed the symbolic test driving of one of the articulated trucks, explained that the governor was passionate to ensure a hazard-free environment for safety of lives, investment and property.
Egbeyemi added that the gesture was borne out of the interest to motivate community participation towards reduction of natural and man-made disasters and other environmental risks in the state.
“Ekiti State became one of the Tier five States to key into this Federal Government-initiated project in July 2019.
“Ekiti State is immensely grateful to the governor for this, as we are aware that some states have been enjoying this privilege since 2012.
“Since inclusion in the scheme, the state has benefited enormously and progressed remarkably with ongoing projects at different sites and locations.
“This is another feat achieved by the governor in commemoration of his third year in office. This further affirms that he no doubt prioritises the enhanced livelihood of Ekiti people above everything else,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs Iyabo Fakunle-Okiemen, expressed delight at the purchase of heavy duty equipment which she said would aid channelisation of waterways to save lives.
Fakunle-Okiemen noted that constant dredging and channelisation of rivers, steams and canals across the length and breadth of the state would make the people to go to bed with their eyes closed and banish the fear of flooding.
While appreciating the governor for facilitating Ekiti inclusion in NEWMAP project, the Commissioner noted that the state had benefited immensely with various erosion and flood control projects going on in different locations in the state.
NAN
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