In a unified effort to achieve a soil erosion free status in Edo State, the Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project NEWMAP-EIB, in collaboration with Edo Flood , Erosion & Watershed Management Agency( EdoFEWMA), on Thursday reinforced their alliance to accelerate progress on environmental sustainability by visiting gully erosion sites within Edo State.
This commitment was highlighted by the National Project Coordinator, NEWMAP-EIB, Engr Anda Ayuba Yalaks when he reaffirmed the project’s dedication to creating a sustainable environment by underscoring the urgent need to tackle the deplorable state of soil erosion in some parts of the country.
The FPMU Team, guided by officials of EdoFEWMA, inspected several active and aggressive gully erosion sites across the State, to ascertain their severity and the State’s effective readiness for intervention and participation in the project.
While calling for intensified citizenship engagement, and sensitization on how people should manage their environment, he commended the Edo State government for its proactiveness in addressing these challenges by establishing a fully operational agency in the state dedicated to sustaining the gains of the previously world Bank assisted NEWMAP Project which ended in 2022.
He stressed the need to cash on the window which is the dry season period to address some of those critical areas like the Boundary road , GRA which he described as a good intervention but lacked adequate maintenance.
” What had been done at the boundary road, GRA, abinitio was a good intervention, because of you look at the drainage line of this area, this is the lowest point, it is the melting point, all the flood water, surface from left to right, run off flow all converge here. Because of lack of maintenance it is not serving the purpose for which it was intended. We will advise equally on this’ he said..
Engr. Anda also commended the Governor of Edo State for his commitment and political will towards the project stating that the state has met all the conditions precedence for attracting disbursement from the European Bank.
” Edo State has met all the conditions precedence inorder to attract disbursement from the European Bank. This would have not been possible without the proactiveness, commitment and political will of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, this is in line with his campaign promises to the people of Edo State”.
The Chief Executive Officer of EdoFEWMA, Hon. Ahmed Mohmoh expressed gratitude to the Executive Governor for listening to the cry of the people and for keeping to his campaign promises to the good people of Edo State.
” One of the promises was to combat erosion and flood. On assumption of office, we took the challenge where we will get the yeilded results. On the instance of the Executive Governor, we invited the National Project Coordinator NEWMAP-EIB to come to Edo State and see for himself all the points highlighted. Today they are here , they have seen and I believe they will do the needful'” he said.
The European Investment Bank assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) aims to reduce the impact of erosion and land degradation in sub- Watershed communities in Nigeria.
