Delta Commissioner Inspects NEWMAP Projects, Asks Beneficiaries to Take Ownership
The Government of Delta State recently carried out on-ground assessments of some NEWMAP project sites in the States. The inspection done at project sites in Owanta, in Ika North East Local Government, as well at Ukwu-Nzu and Obomkpa communities in Aniocha North Local Government of Delta State was carried out on behalf of the State Government by the Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Christian Onogba.
The Delta State Commissioner of Environment whose ministry supervises NEWMAP in the state commended the effort of the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) and the construction companies executing the works. Commenting on the state of the civil works, Mr Onogba observed that, ‘’this job is 95 percent completed, from what we can see, except for the fencing which is a safety measure, otherwise this project is completed.” Collaborating the commissioner’s assessment, the The Site Manager of Levant Construction Limited in Owanta project site, Ayman Haydal, hinted that the project would be completed in five days’ time, from the day of the inspection. Even as he projected a 100 years durability of the work.
The Delta Commissioner of Environment aside speaking to the project managers equally had some advice for the project beneficiaries and communities. He charged them to see the project as their own and protect it from damage and destruction. According to him, taking ownership of the projects is one of the ways the benefitting communities can show gratitude to the state government. In his words, ‘’nobody should see these drains as dumpsites. It is erroneous to believe that because of the big sizes of the drains, dirt should be dumped into it to be washed away. It is not so. Else, it will not be long before the drains are silted.’’
Delta State NEWMAP Project Coordinator Mr. Isaac Ufiofio who alongside his team of SPMU members accompanied the commissioner on the assessment supported points made by the State Executive member, adding that the projects, in line with NEWMAP objectives is to help recover the environment. He expressed happiness that the NEWMAP name and vision is well welcomed in the state.
