The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Edo State have been commended for bringing succor and restoring the hope of residents in flood-prone communities in the state.
Some residents, who are beneficiaries of the project’s gully sites and flood alleviation intervention within the Benin metropolis, said the government has continued to alleviate their sufferings, improving the living standards of the people.
Speaking to journalists, residents around Murtala Muhammed Way, Ogiso axis, Gapiona, Upper Adesuwa, Ebo, and Ogumwenyi areas, all within the Benin metropolis, said efforts by the government to reclaim gully erosion sites and control the incessant flooding in their communities have positively impacted on the lives of the people, opening up the areas for more economic activities.
A visit to the areas by our correspondent showed that all drainages were constructed underground, while the gully site behind Edo College has been refilled, with proper water channels constructed and anti-gully mechanisms put in place.
According to Pastor Samuel Omo, “We thank Governor Godwin Obaseki for prioritizing the wellbeing of Edo people, embarking on projects to better the lives of residents. The gully erosion, formerly, reduced most landlords in our communities to tenants as flood and silt took over our houses and lands.
“In the heart of Benin, economic activities were crippled for many years, with many of these communities being deserted and forgotten, but Governor Obaseki has changed the narrative. Now, economic activities are speedily returning, and all those who left their homes and businesses behind due to the unending floods are back to their property.”
Another resident, Odiahi Osaze, who commended the state government for the intervention, said residents of Gapiona and Upper Adesuwa areas were for over 35 years plagued by flood and gully erosion, leading to destruction and loss of properties worth millions of naira, due to the negligence by successive governments.
On his part, Elder Richard Omwenyeke, a resident of Ebo Street, thanked the government for the massive erosion control projects from Gapiona to Amagba River.
He said the project has renewed the confidence of residents of the flood-affected and gully erosion areas, adding, “They can now live and make progress in their communities without fear.”
“We thank the government for coming to our aid from Gapiona to Ugiokpen, Ebo, Ugbor, Ogumwenyi, down to Amagba,” Omwenyeke added.
