The Edo State Nigerian Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), on Thursday, met with stakeholders and residents of beneficiary communities of the various NEWMAP projects across the state.
The Project Coordinator, Edo NEWMAP, Dr. Tom Obaseki, at the closing stakeholders’ engagement, held in Benin City, said the government remains committed to the welfare and wellbeing of all citizens.
The Project Coordinator led the stakeholders to the Edo College, which he described as one of the key locations of the government’s gully alleviation and remediation works, adding, “The school, a premium institution, was about to be lost in history, hence the priority given it by the state government.”
He said, “The gully was threatening the whole existence of the school hence His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki took it as a priority that the school must be protected.
“We came here today to let you know that the intervention work has been done to the best standards. I am happy the school has been protected and we have been able to secure the fence of the land behind the school.”
Obaseki further noted, “The essence of this engagement is to interact with you and for you to validate what we have done.”
The team also visited the palace of the Ogiegbaen, where the NEWMAP Coordinator noted that with the gully site at Queen Ede and its environs, water gully has become history with the completion of the storm water project.
He said, “In 2015, the design was done and afterwards, two adjustments were effected. A stormwater infrastructure was done, an outlet was created and storm water gully is now a thing of the past.”
He further appreciated the Enogie of Egbaen/Ogbeson, HRH Prof Samuel Aduwa Ogiegbaen for the cooperation and support throughout the course of the project.
On his part, the Project Engineer, Engr. Ero Edwin, said, “We had to construct an underground drain and a manhole for the water to go downstream to the river. We also found that there was no proper road to the school, so we constructed the road. However, we would advise that you (principal) engage the community to let them know how to maintain and make the road last long.
