Dateline 14th June, 2016
Umuaiha
The Nigeria Erosion and WaterShed Management Project (NEWMAP) Task Team currently on a supervision mission to NEWMAP partner states was at the Government House Umuahia Abia State on an Advocacy Visit to the state government.
Receiving the team at the government house Umuaiha, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State in company of the Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu and members of the state cabinet welcomed the NEWMAP task team to the state.
He applauded the NEWMAP concept and expressed confidence that “the future looks very bright” for the state, especially with the ongoing partnership NEWMAP and the World Bank. He noted that the activities and concept of NEWMAP will greatly shore up the lives and living standards of the Abia people.
The governor called on the project to speedily accelerate activities for the Aba storm water masterplan, which he noted will enable the state to combat the incessant flooding and encourage more commercial activities that will aid its internally Generated Revenue(IGR). This, according to him, will enable the state to meet with many commitments as well as the counterpart Funds.
Earlier, Leader of the Team Dr. Amos Abu commended the state for the commitment so far. He however charged the state to show more commitment to the project by ensuring payments of her counterpart fund. He noted that so far the Project has expended #905 Million on the 3 current project sites in the state, while the state only came up with #50, million counterpart.
