Benin: The Edo Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EDOFEWMA) has called for early intervention in erosion-prone areas to prevent incipient gullies from developing into major disasters. The Chief Executive Officer of EDOFEWMA, Mr. Mohammed Okoyomoh, made this appeal during a stakeholders’ engagement on soil, erosion control, and stabilization, held with a team from the University of Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the meeting aimed at finding practical and sustainable solutions to erosion and flooding challenges across Edo state. Okoyomoh highlighted the identification of several massive gullies across the three senatorial districts, emphasizing the critical need for early intervention to prevent smaller erosion sites from escalating into catastrophic problems. He noted that the agency has completed more than 35 designs for erosion control projects across the state, supported by the state Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
‘Erosion control is not something you just jump into. You need a comprehensive design before you can solve the problem,’ Okoyomoh stated. He further mentioned that designs for several erosion sites in Edo South, Edo Central, and Edo North have been completed, and the agency is waiting for the rainy season to end before commencing civil works on some of these projects. The agency has made progress in areas like Ikpoba, where improved drainage and underground infrastructure have enhanced stormwater flow. The state government has also redirected water from the Tempoga area into the river, reducing flooding risks in affected regions.
Prof. Lukeman Adams, Director of the Central Research and Reference Laboratory at the University of Lagos, explained that the university’s team had previously visited Edo to collect soil samples for research. The goal was to develop a local solution for addressing incipient and gully erosions before they become extensive issues. The team returned to Edo to demonstrate an integrated soil stabilization approach using nano-silica, nanotechnology, and organic soil vegetation, designed to bind loose soil particles and increase soil density and compaction.
Adams assured that the proposed technology is safe, as its components naturally occur in soil. He emphasized that the technology would complement EDOFEWMA’s efforts by providing an additional method to address erosion at its early stages, advocating for proactive measures to prevent escalation.
Mr. Johnson Adamu, the Special Adviser to Gov. Okpebholo on Environment and Sustainability, reiterated that environmental protection is a key government responsibility that requires collective action. He acknowledged the expertise and recommendations provided by the university team, stating that the state government would study the proposals and explore integration into its ongoing efforts to mitigate flooding and erosion across Edo.