FG Releases N750m Counterpart Funding To Tackle Erosion, Flood

The Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal has stated that the Ministry has provided the sum of N750m and office space as its counterpart funding for the commencement of the European Investment Bank ( EIB ) and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) project aimed at tackling erosion and flood in Nigeria.

The Minister disclosed this while declaring open a 2-day NEWMAP/EIB/ United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Joint Mission for the disbursement of funds to the participating states.

THE WHISTLER reports that the NEWMAP Bank-assisted project aimed at addressing the Nigerian gully erosion crisis in Southeastern Nigeria and land degradation in Northern Nigeria on a multi-dimensional scale.

The Minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari reaffirmed that with the personalities in attendance, all issues delaying the commencement of EIB funding will be unbundled.

Lawal emphasised that the mission takes cognisance of the current rainy season window to come up with low-hanging fruit activities which will usher in implementation as the Government cannot wait any longer to kick start the project.

Earlier, The NEWMAP National Project Coordinator, Mr. Andy Ayuba Yalak in his welcome remarks called on the participating States to adhere to the guidelines to facilitate the release of EIB funding.

Yalak further encouraged the Project Coordinators to make provisions for their counterpart funding, office space, and utility vehicles in line with EIB requirements before the disbursement of funds.

The Ministry’s Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, Ibrahim Haruna in a statement explained that the project has 23 participating States across the country.