South East breaking News
By Steve Unegbu
The entire members of staff of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project ,NEW MAP Abia state are mourning the demise of Dr Solomon Ogunji ,” I feel bad ,I feel sorrowful, I feel hurt ,myself and our entire team are sorrowing “
These are the words of the Project Coordinator of NEW MAP in Abia state, Engr.Izuchukwu Onwughara ,during the special valedictory service in honour of later Engr Solomon Ogunji at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia .
According to Engr Onwughara , “The project is under the ministry of environment and Ogunji as the commissioner ,was the chairman of the state steering committee, the highest body of authorization over the project and we worked very cordially with him .He gave direction ,he gave focus to a lot of the things that we did and he gave us the much needed support that enabled us to achieve the much we did achieve .So ,it is quite sad for us that we lost him and we are praying that God will receive his soul and grant us the fortitude to bear the lost “
He lamented the death of Solomon Ogunji ,saying his exit affected the pace of the progress in NEW MAP Abia his words ,” there are things he started with us that we have not completed, which we would have been delighted him being present to see the fulfilment of his dreams “
Outlining, some of the projects ,he pointed out that ,” for instance ,we have designs in converting gulley erosion in some areas in Abia state, these designs were approved for us by World bank during his tenure with us, that of Elu Amuke Ohafia ,that of Uzoakoli ,that of Ogudu Asaa and Empekon Road ,the road between Akara and Abia state university “
Speaking further, he revealed that ,” we also got approval to do some work at Ifeobara and Ndiegoro Ohanku axis ,and these jobs already approved are yet to be advertised, are yet to procure contractors getting to those areas “
He expressed sadness over the death of Solomon Ogunji , saying ,” it would have been beautiful to see Ogunji alive as these projects are executed. We already have job that is on -going now in Aba ,the flood mitigation work at Umuagbai in Obohia road and Uretta ,that job was also awarded during his tenure and he represented government in signing the contract ,we would have loved to have him around to translate what is on paper to actual execution on ground”
He disclosed that one of the good things ,NEW MAP Abia will do to the memory of Ogunji is to see that these projects are fully realized.