By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government of Nigeria led by President Bola Tinubu has pledged the sum of N750 million and allocated office space to support the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) initiative aimed at addressing erosion and flood issues across the country.
This was announced by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, during the recent opening of a two-day NEWMAP/EIB/UNOPS joint mission.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, the Minister emphasized the urgency of the project, particularly in light of the ongoing rainy season.
He stressed the importance of launching immediate, impactful activities to provide relief to communities severely affected by erosion and floods.
“The mission recognizes the current rainy season and aims to implement immediate measures to start the project, providing much-needed relief to the affected populations,” said Lawal. “The presence of key stakeholders today signifies our commitment to resolving any delays in EIB funding.”
NEWMAP National Project Coordinator, Mr. Andy Ayuba Yalak, urged participating states to comply with the guidelines to facilitate the release of EIB funds.
He emphasized the necessity for states to secure their counterpart funding, office space, and utility vehicles in accordance with EIB requirements.
The project, involving 23 states nationwide, aims to mitigate the impacts of erosion and flooding, which have caused significant hardship for many Nigerians.
In his remarks, Yalak called for swift action, highlighting the importance of adherence to the project’s guidelines to ensure timely fund disbursement and effective project implementation.
This initiative represents a critical step in the government’s broader efforts to combat environmental challenges and improve the resilience of vulnerable communities across Nigeria.