By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—THE World Bank in conjunction with Abia State Government has spent over N273 million to rebuild two communities in the State that are being ravaged by gully erosion.

The money is for compensation and rehabilitation of the erosion devastated roads in the affected communities.

Ikpeazu

Executed under the Nigerian Erosion Watershed Management Project [NEWMAP], the benefitted communities were Amuzukwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area and Umuezeukwu Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North council.

Amuzukwu was paid N34 million compensation for their properties they lost to gully erosion and Umuezeukwu Nsulu in Isiala North Local Government Area whose 1.2  kilometer road was devastated is being rehabilitated at a cost of over N238 million.

Meanwhile, the design work for the Amuzukwu and Amuda Isuochi in Umunneochi council gully erosion sites is in progress with a view to awarding the contracts to rehabilitate them.

The design work for other gully erosion disasters sites in Elu Ohafia, Dodds Methodist Church and Umuagu Ibeku have been completed by the bank.

The acting director of Abia NEWMAP ,Engr. Izuchukwu Onwuhara who disclosed these developments at Umuezekwu Nsulu during the marking of this year’s world environment day, explained that the projects were facilitated by the World Bank following the payment of the state project’s counterpart fund.

In his remarks, the Representative of the NEWMAP Communication Consultant, Aries Concept Nigeria Ltd. Mr. Sola Akinsiku stressed the need for the people to protect their environment because according to him, any harm done to the environment returns its negative impact on the communities.