Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim says the Okpoko urban renewal project is very remarkable to the state.

 

Dr. Ibezim disclosed this when the team of United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, paid him a courtesy visit in Awka.

 

Correspondent Emmanuel Chigbata reports that the Deputy Governor beckoned on partner and donor agencies of Okpoko urban renewal project, such as UNDP, Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project, NEWMAP, and US Agencies for International Development, USAID, to sustain partnership with the state government to achieve the initiative of making Okpoko a livable city.

 

Dr. Ibezim, restated resolve of the present administration led by Professor Chukwuma Soludo towards making Onitsha and environs a smart mega city and revamping of the Okpoko slum.

 

He restated that massive work which include evacuation of dumps and desilting of drainages have been ongoing in Idemili North, Ogbaru, Onitsha South, and Onitsha North Local Government Areas, which is part of the government efforts towards entrenching a clean and healthy environment across the state.

Dr. Ibezim also reassured of the present government’s commitment to protecting lives and property of its citizenry

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Earlier, the Operations Manager of United Nations Development Programme, Mrs Fati Attahiru, said the visit was to see how the United Nations can support the state government in terms of environmental challenges and assisting her in achieving its promises that have been made to various communities in the state.

 

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor accompanied by the Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Felix Odimegwu had earlier made on the spot assessment at the Alex Ekwueme Square erosion site threatening the Olympic size swimming pool used during the Nigerian Police Games in the state.

The Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Odimegwu noted that the state government has set out action plan to see how the erosion would be controlled.