Amby Uneze
3 January 2009
Owerri — Over N260 billion is required to fix the 460 erosion sites in Imo State even as detailed engineering studies have been completed on 10 worth about N6 billion while work is ongoing in 30 sites with cost estimated at N19 billion. The rest of the 420 sites were yet to be investigated and properly evaluated.
Governor Ikedi Ohakim, while addressing the state stakeholders forum in Owerri yesterday, lamented the plight of the state in erosion menace, adding that it was because of the same reason that the Governors of the South-east zone had a meeting with the Vice President recently, declaring the area an ecological disaster zone.
According to him, we expect the Federal Government to declare the zone an ecological disaster area, noting that the state had applied to the Ecological Fund for relief, while members of the Senate Committee on Ecology had visited the state and another visit by five-man member team from the Federal Ministry of Environment, with a view to ascertain the level of damage done to the state.
Ohakim, however, informed Imo citizens that there was need to look for alternative way of solving the menace should the help being sort does not come. Such alternative he said include relocation by the affected villages.
"One option we must seriously consider now is relocation. Some villages threatened by serious erosion must take the option of relocating now. Everywhere in the world, when land becomes scarce, unavailable or threatened, people move out. Moreover, it is less expensive. Where, for example, an erosion site may require about N5 billion to address, it may require just about N500 million to relocate the community. Relocation makes sense, especially given that the N5 billion may not be readily available", he said.
The State Government in her determination to ensure that the Heartland Foot ball team performs optimally, a whopping N500 million has also be committed to the team.
Ohakim said about N75 million has been expended by his administration to rehabilitate Dan Anyiam Stadium , Owerri for the national and international competitions in the state.
Said he, "Imo people now has brand new Heartland Football club under a foreign coach. Government has injected N500 million in the club. Currently the club is topping the table in premier league and is in the CAF Championship . Over N75 million has been spent on Dan Anyiam Stadium in preparation for the CAF championship."
Ohakim stressed that his regime would continue to place enviable position in the field of sports, adding that every one should appreciate the gesture.
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