Erosion: FG urged to monitor, hold contracting firms accountable

THE Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang has urged the Federal Government to ensure that contracting firms are held accountable on environmental impact assessment before they begin work on any project.

He made this call at the weekend during the commissioning of erosion project at Nduotong Oku in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, constructed by the Ecological Fund Office (EFO).

Senator Enang said that the erosion disaster in Nduotong was not natural but after effect of excavated laterites in the community for Ekom Iman, Ekiti Itam and Itam junction road constructions projects without any remedial measures.

Enang made this known in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Edet Ekpenyong Etuk, and made available to newsmen in Abuja, on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Supreme Court judgement: Tension in Bauchi as APC, PDP anticipate victory

Senator Enang, who initiated and got the approval of the Federal Government for the project, noted that there is always provision for obtaining laterite in the road construction contract.

He commended the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) and the Permanent Secretary of Ecological fund for their efforts on the project.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who commissioned the project, congratulated Senator Enang for the initiative which has brought succour to the people of Nduotong Oku.

Earlier, the Chief of the community, Chief Enefiok Samuel, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the project and appealed to him to ensure that water is channelled to the stream so that it will be appreciated.