NEWMAP launch: Obiano seeks more intervention on larger erosion sites

NEWMAP is a collaboration among the World Bank, federal government of Nigeria and the participating states,  with the World Bank providing $580 million US Dollars for all the participating states and  Anambra State Government paying a counterpart funds of N500 million. The project was geared towards addressing, on a multi-dimensional scale,  the menace of gully erosion […]

NEWMAP is a collaboration among the World Bank, federal government of Nigeria and the participating states,  with the World Bank providing $580 million US Dollars for all the participating states and  Anambra State Government paying a counterpart funds of N500 million.
 The project was geared towards addressing, on a multi-dimensional scale,  the menace of gully erosion in the South-East geo-political zone and land degradation in the North.
World Bank has approved the current project to cover four erosion sites of Abagana, Amachalla, Nerve Plaza Awka and Omagba.
Speaking at the ceremony which attracted stakeholders across the country, at  the Women Development Centre, Awka, Obiano said his administration was ready to increase the counterpart funding to N1 billion   to  attract the Bank’s intervention on larger erosion sites at Agulu, Nanka, Oko, Obosi and Utuh, among others.
While thanking President Goodluck Jonathan and the World Bank for the intervention, Obiano lamented that the state, at present, has over 1,000 erosion sites with active sites accounting for more than 70 percent and causing untold havoc, including loss of lives, destruction of homes, farmlands and public infrastructures.
He recalled that in 2006, erosion devastation sacked Umuchiana village, Ekwulobia while over the years, the state has suffered huge economic losses, running into hundreds of billions of naira with many communities and families separated from their members.  

The governor urged all stakeholders and the entire public to support government by sensitising others on the best environmental practices that would help checkmate and reduce conditions that can cause erosion.
The Minister of  Environment and Chairman, NEWMAP National Steering Committee, Mrs Laurentia Mallam, represented by the National Project Coordinator, Mr. Chikelo Nwune,  said all necessary agreements for the project have been  signed and commended Obiano for the commitment he demonstrated in tackling the challenges of erosion.

Mallam cautioned against inappropriate land use activities and urged the people to adopt best practices introduced by the NEWMAP project to protect the land and environment.

Also speaking, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Africa Region, Marie-Francoise Marie-Nelly, represented by the Task Team Leader of the Bank, Dr. Amos Abu, disclosed that the Bank provides financial intervention, among other services.