Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Government said it has paid N800 million in counterpart funding to the European Union to support erosion and flood control projects, particularly in Benin City.
The Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Nosa Adams, disclosed this during the Ministry of Information and Strategy’s bi-monthly press briefing.
He said the intervention is part of efforts to revive the Benin Storm Water Project, originally initiated by former Governor Adams Oshiomhole but halted during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
According to Adams, the counterpart funding will facilitate collaboration with the European Union to address persistent erosion and flooding challenges affecting communities across the Benin metropolis.
Recall that the Benin Storm Water Project was launched in 2012 by the Adams Oshiomhole administration as a major flood and erosion control initiative, with about N30 billion earmarked for its implementation to tackle the city’s recurring environmental challenges.
Oshiomhole announced 13-feet deep channel construction on the New Lagos Road to link the canal on Five Junction to the canal on the Traditional Ground in order to control the erosion in the city.
But when Godwin Obaseki assumed office, he described the project as a fraud and discontinued it.
Speaking on the state government’s plans to control erosion, Adams said in the next two months, all the paperwork would be done and work will commence.
He said: “And as a follow-up, you know, the major problem we are facing in this very particular period is flooding and erosion control.
“And we have some notorious spots. But His Excellency has also followed up with the European Union Investment Bank and has paid the counterpart funding, which, of course, Edo State is one of the states that have promptly paid the counterpart funding sources as to continue the Benin Storm Water Project, which was thwarted by the last administration.
“And now that we have paid our counterpart funding, in the next two months or so, the second phase and, of course, the last phase of the comprehensive storm project of Benin metropolis will have commenced.
“And we intend to link it up with Tomline, Siluko Road, and Ekewan Road. I can assure you that flooding and erosion problems will be a thing of the past in those areas.”
Also speaking, Prince Kassim Afegbua, Commissioner for Information and Strategy said the state government plans to carry out a massive reclamation of the Government Reservation Area with drainage to deflood the area into Ogba River.
