Abia to Begin Urgent Flood, Erosion Control Works in Affected Communities

The Abia State Government is set to commence urgent intervention and mitigation works in rural communities grappling with severe flood and erosion issues. This action follows a directive from Governor Alex Otti to the Ministry of Environment.

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Let me report that relief will soon come the way of inhabitants of Amamba Uzuakoli flood and erosion site in Bende Local Government Area and Ipupe, Ubakala flood site in Umuahia South Local Government Area.

The affected communities include Amamba Uzuakoli in Bende Local Government Area and Ipupe Ubakala in Umuahia South Local Government Area. Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, briefed journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, assuring that relief is forthcoming for the inhabitants.

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As soon as the governor signs off on that policy document, it will become operational.

The Ministry of Environment has already deployed a team of engineers to the sites for on-the-spot assessments. Efforts are being intensified to ensure that mitigation works begin immediately to reclaim degraded land and prevent further destruction. Governor Otti's directive emphasizes the need for swift action to address the environmental challenges.

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This development will make the international community to begin to take Abia State more seriously in its efforts to combat climate change, particularly with regards to opening up several climate funding opportunities across sectors in the state.

Furthermore, Abia State is awaiting the governor's approval for its Climate Change Policy Document. Kanu described this policy as a significant step toward tackling environmental challenges and expressed confidence that its implementation would attract international climate funding. The policy is also expected to help reduce the impact of climate-related issues such as flooding, erosion, heat waves, and food insecurity. The Ministry of Environment has also continued its sanitary inspection exercise across the state, inspecting thousands of premises and issuing notices for environmental health violations.

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With these sanitary inspection interventions, Abia State continues to score very highly in environmental cleanliness among the comity of states in the country.