Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki has announced plans to establish the Edo Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency (Edo FEMA) as part of efforts to minimize the State’s vulnerability to flood and erosion.
In mid-2022, the Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (Edo NEWMAP), which had a ten-year influence on the state, came to an end.
Addressing reporters in Benin City, Tom Obaseki, Project Coordinator for Edo NEWMAP and Chief Executive Officer for Edo FEWMA, said that the establishment of the new organization would support the government’s initiatives to ensure environmental sustainability and raise the standard of living for the populace.
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According to him, governor Obaseki, the Edo FEWMA is a key component of the government’s efforts to protect its citizens and communities from the devastating effects of floods and erosion.
He explained that the agency will help to sustain the progress made by the Edo NEWMAP project in terms of reducing vulnerability to flood and erosion through prevention and rehabilitation and ensuring that the state is better equipped to handle natural disasters such as floods and erosion.
He added that the Obaseki-led administration is dedicated to managing erosion and developing long-term solutions to flooding control in the state.
“We understand the devastating impact that these disasters can have on our communities and people and are dedicated to implementing measures to mitigate their effects. This includes investing in infrastructure projects such as the construction of drainage systems, as well as tree planting and landscaping programmes to enhance environmental sustainability.
Speaking further, he said: “We are also educating the public about the importance of flood and erosion prevention and encouraging the adoption of environmentally-friendly practices that can help to reduce the risk of these natural disasters,”. “We believe that by taking a proactive and holistic approach to flood control and erosion management, we can create a safer and more sustainable future for all of our citizens”.
Story was adapted from ThisDay.
