World Bank to partner Akwa Ibom on erosion project

The Akwa Ibom Government says it is partnering with the World Bank to execute erosion control project worth N52 billion on IBB Way in Uyo, the state capital.

The State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, disclosed this on Wednesday in Uyo at a news briefing to mark the 29th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state was created on Sept. 23, 1987, by the administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida alongside Katsina state.

Udom said that the state government was committed to providing a lasting solution to the perennial flooding on IBB Way and in some parts of the state capital.

“The cost of taking water in that area, which is almost below sea level is exorbitant, especially at the current exchange rate in the country.

“IBB is a peculiar situation, we can’t do it alone, I must confess, I cannot find N52billion anywhere, which is why I am partnering World Bank.

“World Bank has agreed to partner with Akwa Ibom to control the erosion; right now they are reviewing our design.

“Once we finish with the design and the process, World Bank has promised that to include it in its budget,” Emmanuel said.

The governor further disclosed that the World Bank had promised to release $2million to the state so that work can start at some of the erosion sites.

Emmanuel said that he was optimistic that World Bank assistance would go a long way to help the state to eliminate flooding.

The governor then appealed to the people of the state to bear with the government on the issue of flooding, assuring them that flooding would soon be a thing of the past.

Emmanuel said that the state government had already spent billions of naira to control erosion in the Udo Udoma Avenue, still in the state capital.

The governor said that the state government had contracted Julius Berger Construction Company to construct the artificial drainage to remove flood in most parts of the state capital.

NAN recalls that the immediate past administration of Chief Godswill Akpabio had spent N13.6 billion to construct pipe jacking tunnel to remove flood in Uyo but some parts are still experiencing flood.

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