According to a news report from Blueprint, the federal government has inaugurated and handed over a N613 million erosion control project in the Patigi local government area of Kwara state, marking the end of the community's eight-year battle with erosion.

The project, completed by the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC), was inaugurated in partnership with the Kwara state government.

During the event, the managing director of the commission, Abubakar Yelwa, highlighted that the project was part of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at addressing the urgent needs of the people. Yelwa described the project as a fight against flood and erosion, with the goal of improving lives, protecting the environment, and harnessing natural resources.

He also mentioned that the commission was involved in various other life-changing projects across states and urged the state government to intervene in other areas requiring urgent attention.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state advised the people to avoid actions that could compromise the integrity of the infrastructure, such as dumping refuse in waterways.

“Together, we can protect our community from the threat of future floods and preserve the legacy of progress that we have worked so hard to achieve”, the governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Hajia Nafisat Buge, said.

The governor said the completion of the erosion project is the beginning of journey towards a safer and more secure future.

He added that it is incumbent upon each and every member of the community to actively participate in the maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure.

He also urged all community leaders and youth organisations to remain vigilant and proactive in ensuring that the project remaines effective and operational.

Etsu of Patigi, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Bologi II, commended the commission for carrying out intervention aimed at solving the suffering of the people in such areas as building of schools, agricultural intervention, etc.