THE World Bank
has proposed $500 million to address erosion challenges across various states
in Nigeria.
According to
the World Bank sponsored Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project
(NEWMAP), the amount will be accessed by benefitting states through payment of
counterpart funds,
Task Leader of
NEWMAP, Dr. Amos Abu, who disclosed this during an inspection of some erosion
sites in Delta State, acknowledged that the state government has paid its
counterpart fund of N500 million to access its share of the money.
Abu promised
to support the state government in addressing the menace of soil erosion and
other forms of environmental degradation in various parts of the state.
The erosion
sites inspected included Ukwu-Nzu, Obomkpa, Ubulu Uku and Boji-Boji Owa, all in
the northern part of the state.
The team
leader, who spoke alongside the acting National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP,
Ruth Peter Mishellia, said 19 states would benefit from the the project, adding
that emphasis was on Abia, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, Imo and Edo states at
present.
According to
the team, the visit is predicated on securing due diligence in the job to be
done to ensure appropriate designs for the projects in line with international
best practices, noting that the World Bank is only interested in projects with
high financial responsibilities and so far, the erosion sites visited match
their specifications and will be duly attended to.
They said
apart from lifting people from the gullies of erosion, the project is hinged at
liberating communities from the shackles of poverty by creating enabling
environment through accessibility to more viable economic towns.
They said the
project succeeded in some countries around the globe, including Brazil, India,
Mexico, China, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Commissioner
for Environment, John Nani, who was part of the inspection, disclosed that the
N500 million counterpart fund released by the state government was to
complement the $2 million approved and released by World Bank He decried the
condition of the over 3,000 erosion sites and assured of the state government
resolve to do all it can to solve the problem in some parts of the states. The
state Coordinator of NEWMAP, Mr. Isaac Ufiofio, who commended Governor Ifeanyi
Okowa for the release of the counterpart fund, said the problem of gully
erosion in the state was enormous, expressing optimism that although NEWMAP
cannot attend to all erosion sites at once, gradually many would be addressed.
He said the
World Bank intervention was timely given the fact that the state was confronted
with financial challenges, and appealed to the people to cooperate with
contractors to ensure successful execution of the projects.
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