Communities captured under the Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) intervention have expressed growing frustration over the prolonged delay in the commencement of the erosion and flood control project, saying repeated flash floods have continued to expose them to danger and uncertainty.
The concerns were raised during an inspection tour of the proposed NEWMAP-EIB project sites by the Oyo State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU), led by the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto.
The team visited the affected communities to assess the situation and interact with residents.
During the visit, many residents openly expressed their disappointment, stating that they had received several inspection teams over the years but were yet to witness the commencement of physical construction.
According to them, the recent flash floods across parts of the state have worsened their plight, with overflowing streams and severe erosion threatening homes, roads, businesses, and farmlands. They lamented that the continuous delay in implementing the project has left them living in fear whenever heavy rainfall occurs.
