By Shinne Divine-Grace
President Muhammadu Buhari, over the weekend commended the Ecological Project Office (EPO) for timely its intervention in assuaging the ecological challenges and the commissioning of the erosion and flood control at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, in Rivers State.
President Buhari who was represented by Senator Mpigi Barinada, while commending the quick response of government through EPO said the yearnings of the institution has been met through the project intervention even as he described it as a responsible and responsive move of government.
The Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs, in the Office, Mrs. Eno Olotu, in a statement made available to the Media at the weekend, said the Federal Government in its sustained efforts to mitigate ecological challenges across the country has commissioned the completed erosion and flood control Works at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Omoku in Rivers State.
According to her, the risk of flooding and the negative consequences on the Institution necessitated the prompt intervention by government.
Speaking at the commissioning and handing-over ceremony of the project to the institution over the weekend, the Acting Permanent Secretary, EPO, Dr. Famous Eseduwo, expressed optimism that the intervention will provide succor to the institution and the people whose lives and properties were endangered.
According to him, the commissioning and handing-over ceremony is expected to serve the dual purpose of the beneficiary Institution and the community taking ownership of the project and ensuring its sustainability.
Eseduwo, charged the Institution to make the best use of the project and ensure that it’s purpose is not defeated.
He commended the efforts of the Consultant and Contractor: Messrs. Steron International Resources Limited, Messrs. Westfield Global Construction limited as well as Ecological Project Office Engineers for their commitments in ensuring minimum time loss in the project implementation and its timely completion.
The President’s Representative further added: “Ladies and gentlemen, I feel honoured as a special guest not only because the project is within my state, but also it is in keeping faith with the present administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration”.
Senator Barinada, acknowledged that the completed project has finally put an end to the perennial flooding and its threats to the peace of the Institution.
He expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and the entire people of the state for their cooperation and facilitation of a rancour-free environment during the project execution and also called on beneficiaries to cherish the laudable projects.
The Provost of the College, Dr. Emmanuel Ikenyiri, thanked the federal government and EPO for the intervention, stating that the college had before now witnessed flood devastation annually, disrupting academic, administrative and social activities in both campuses of the college.
He, however, appealed to EPO to help construct a lake in the Campus 2 of the college to totally take care of the annual flooding in the college and reduce lecture time loss during high flooding in the College.
Also, in a related development, the Acting PS in company of the Director, Drought, Desertification and Coastal Management of EPO, Mr. Haruna Bello, inspected the proposed site for the erosion and flood control works and a provision of access roads and drainages with culverts at the Angalabiri-Torukubu road in Bayelsa State.
Signed: Mrs. Eno Olotu, DD (Press & Public Relations) EPO.
