Delta NEWMAP: Asiuwhu Sues For Harmonious Working Environment

The newly appointed Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Godspower Omafuvwe Asiuwhu, has sued for total cooperation of staff of Delta State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) so as to build on the success stories of the Project established six years ago.

Chief Asuiwhu, who also double as the Chairman, Steering Committee of Delta State NEWMAP, made the call when he received the management staff of the Project, led by the Acting Project Coordinator of Delta State NEWMAP, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha, at his office, Asaba, yesterday.

The Environment Commissioner noted the interface with the management staff of the Project will further acquaint him the workings of the partnership project between the Delta State Government and the World Bank.

He expressed satisfaction over the completion of three gully erosion sites situated in Obomkpa and Ukwu-Nzu in Aniocha North and Owanta in Ika North East Local Government Areas, out of the five gully erosion sites approved for the Project by the World Bank, saying the interface will further position him to work towards the commencement of the ones in Jesse and Ubulu-Uku.

The Commissioner, who received NEWMAP management staff alongside the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry and Chairman, Technical Committee of Delta State NEWMAP, Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji, said it was a thing of pride to the state government that Delta State NEWMAP was able to turn in success stories of the Project within the specified timeline, adding that the state government was looking towards the commissioning of the projects as soon as possible.

The Acting Project Coordinator of Delta State NEWMAP, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha, disclosed the Project has turn in harvest of three completed gully erosion sites in Obomkpa, Ukwu-Nzu and Owanta, to the glory of the state government and the World Bank, saying the ones in Jesse and Ubulu-Uku were approved but did not commence civil works because of lack of funds.

He allayed the hope that NEWMAP is leveraging on the official commencement of European Investment Bank (EIB) that would continue from where the donor partner of the World Bank stopped, so as to care for the fundings of the aforementioned projects.

He noted that staff of the Project were intact to inherit the new donor agency hoping to commence operation soon and pledged to work with the new Commisioner to achieve the set goals of the Project.

Lucky Oyibo
Communication Officer,
Delta State NEWMAP