The new Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Environment and Chairman, Technical Committee, Delta State NEWMAP, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji, gave the charge while inspecting the ongoing Midoma/Iwerebor-Owanta gully reclamation project site, Owanta, in Ika north east local government area of the state.
Dr. Oseji, who was accompanied by the Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mr. Isaac Ufiofio, said throwing refuse and garbages inside constructed open drains and gutters negates the principles of global environmental best practices.
She said the state government has invested billions of naira on erosion and flood control in Delta metropolitan cities, towns and developing communities to enhance their infrastructural and socio-economic development in the state.
Dr. Oseji, added that residents must reciprocate government’s gesture to protect such facility from blockage and allow free flow of water on the existing drains when it rains.
The Medical Doctor and Environmental expert noted that the World Bank assisted NEWMAP erosion and flood project in partnership with the Delta State Government, was first of its kind in the state, saying it was targeted to mitigate erosion and flood in intervention communities in Owanta in Ika North East, Ukwu-Nzu and Obomkpa in Aniocha North, Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South and Jesse in Ethiope West Local Government Areas of the state.
“We don’t want a situation where after this huge investment has been made and because of the behaviour of our people, we begin to find ourselves keeping the environment dirty. It is hopeful, we should be able to change the behaviour of our people. And we will find out what it takes to make them change their behaviour. And it is not really just here.
“We see people not managing waste properly. We need to have a paradigm shift on waste managemnent. We need to come out with a strong aggressive sensitization to make each Deltan is responsible when it comes to waste managemennt.
The Permanent Secretary noted apart from the Owanta, Ukwu-Nzu and Obomkpa projects nearing completion, efforts are ongoing with the World Bank to consider an extension for the Jesse and Ubulu-Uku projects, as being canvassed by other states of the federation.
“I am impressed with what I saw on ground. I have never seen a project like this before. This is first of its kind in Delta State. Also, Levant Construction Limited and the AURECON Supervision Consult obviously know what they are doing and we really want to appreciate World Bank for selecting Delta State to benefit from the World Bank assisted Project.
“From a huge project like this which is going to control erosion in this vicinity. We have also interacted with the residents living here and they are so happy with the new lease of life brought by this intervention to mitigate erosion in this locality.
“So economic activities is gearing up because the challenges of erosion they had, have all been mitigated by this project funded by World Bank in collaboration with the Delta State Government.
We are already in talk with the World Bank to consider an extension so that the other two projects in Jesse and Ubulu-Uku can be taken. The talks are ongoing. We are hopeful. We want to make sure that the ones we got approval, we do everything so that we are not found wanting.
“When you are working with developing partners, you do your report, you monitor, and submit your report and gives account of the funds and when there is opportunity for another round, you will be considered. And we want to make sure that all those things are done properly and make sure nothing will set us back when we are being considered for an extension”.
