The Anambra State Government has signed N9 billion agreement with two foreign firms and one local firm for erosion-control works on six erosion sites in the state.

The erosion sites are: Enugwu-Ukwu and Abidi-Umuoji (N2 billion), Nnewi-Ichi and Ojoto (N5 billion) and Nkpor Flyover and Ire-Obosi site at the cost of N2 billion.

Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra said, while signing the contract at Governor’s Lodge Amawbia near Awkaon Thursday, that the projects would be funded by the World Bank, Federal and Anambra Governments at the cost of N9 billion.

Obiano named the two foreign firms as: Chinese CGC-CHWE and CGC-YSE, while the indigenous firm to handle the Nkpor Flyover and Ire-Obosi is Monier Construction Company, Nig. Ltd.

The governor said that the state has 972 active erosion sites out of which only 12 had been successfully controlled, saying that his administration was happy over the award of the contract.

He explained that the completion time for all the projects was 24 months and charged the firms to abide by the terms of the agreement.

Obiano, who expressed satisfaction with the way both state and Federal Government were tackling ecological problems, noted that the government had secured 10 additional sites to be funded by the World Bank.

The governor, while canvassing for best environmental practices from citizens through the planting of trees, called for more assistance from the World Bank to ensure greater erosion control in the area.

He expressed happiness that the erosion challenges could be handled by competent firms.

Earlier, Anambra State Commissioner for Environment and Beautification, Mr Mike Okonkwo confirmed that the state had fully paid their counterpart funds for the projects.

The Deputy Managing Director of the firm handling the projects, Mr Xion Jian Fan, said that the four erosion sites would be completed within record period.

He pledged to deploy modern expertise in handling the projects.

In his remark, the Anambra State Project Co-coordinator for NEWMAP, Mr Michael Ivenso noted that the agreements were indications of government’s readiness to tackle ecological challenges in the state. (NAN)