Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, has awarded contracts worth over N1 billion for the reconstruction of bridges and culverts as well as channelization of waterways under a world assisted programme, the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Projects (NEWMAP).
The contracts include the Ajolagun Bridge in Ikere-Ekiti, Arinkin Bridge, Ijowa-Ekiti, Ogbomu Culverts and channelization of gully erosion at Irele Health Centre, Irele-Ekiti.
The State Commissioner for Environment, Barrister Iyabo Fakunle-Okieimen who is also the Chairman of the State Steering Committee of NEWMAP made this known in Ado-Ekiti during the official signing of the contract awards.
Mrs. Fakunle-Okieimen explained that NEWMAP was designed to boost environment and economic security noting that the contracts would immediately address severe gully erosion problems in the state, reduce vulnerability to soil erosion and promote long term climate resilience.
She said that the contracts were awarded on merit as the focus is to ensure value for money spent.
Reiterating the commitment of Fayemi led administration to the rapid development of the state and environmental protection, Okieimen said that Governor Fayemi deserves commendation for promptly keying into NEWMAP at the inception of the administration for the development of Ekiti State.
The State Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mr. Seyi Adegbola had earlier highlighted other projects in the pipeline to include forest regeneration and ecological projects across the three senatorial districts in the state.
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