The devastating incursion of the Atlantic Ocean which had caused the extinction of some communities in the riverine areas of Ondo State will soon be curtailed, in view of the exciting governance posture of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu as attested to by the World Bank.
Speaking in Akure while on a courtesy visit to the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, at the Government House in Akure, a World Bank official who is also the Task Team Leader for the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP , Dr. Amos Abu said the people living in erosion and flood prone areas would soon have their lives and environment secured.
He said the World Bank was ready to put down another $5million to support efforts at checkmating the Atlantic Ocean in running over Ayetoro Seaside in Ilaje Local Government Area.
Officials of the World Bank and those of the Federal Project Management Unit were in Ondo State according to the Task Team Leader on Implementation Support Mission, to see first hand what the State Project Monitoring Unit has done on the NEWMAP assisted programme.
Dr Abu who commended Governor Akeredolu for his commitment at ensuring good life for residents of the state without being threatened by any form of erosion or ecological issues, said the World Bank was encouraged by what Ondo State has done so far on NEWMAP
“Mr Governor we are glad at your passion for better life for your people. We have been to Okitipupa, Ilaje and some other Local Government Areas, since we arrived Ondo State.
“What we have seen on ground on NEWMAP, I make bold to say that states which joined far before Ondo State have not achieved far more than you”, he said.
The NEWMAP National Project Coordinator, Dr Salisu Dahiru said the success stories of NEWMAP programme in Ondo State were the resultant effects of the desire of Governor Akeredolu at making life worth living for his people.
He assured that evidences of performance and delivery would soon manifest across the state having gotten to the level of Project Implementation at a time of the year that the rains were still far ahead.
In his response, Governor Akeredolu said despite the fact that the state was not buoyant, his administration would continue to explore available window of opportunities to make life comfortable for residents of the state irrespective of their occupation and places of abode.
He said the payment of #500million by his administration as counterpart fund upon which the World Bank released $5million dollars for NEWMAP programme in the state and the purchase of Swamp Boogie excavator were evidences of the determination of his administration at ensuring that the people of the state enjoy all seasons particularly the rainy season without any fear or anxiety.
The governor expressed displeasure that Ondo State did not key into the opportunities of NEWMAP, RAMP and other poverty alleviating World Bank assisted programmes until his administration came on board in the Year 2017.
He assured the team that his administration will not hesitate to release more funds to NEWMAP in view of the fresh assistance of the World Bank on Ayetoro Seaside community.
Speaking earlier on the progress of work by the State Project Monitoring Unit, the State Project Coordinator, Engineer Marcus Adewodun said a lot of grounds have been covered by NEWMAP since its introduction to Ondo State by the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Administration.
While appreciating the governor for his unwavering support at actualising the mandate of NEWMAP, the State Project Coordinator assured that the entire
Monitoring Unit will continue to work hard to justify the confidence on it.
Source: Office of the Governor
