On Tuesday, the Federal Government launched the Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
This initiative aims to bolster the nation’s efforts in erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration.
During the project’s inauguration, Malam Balarabe Lawal, the Minister of Environment, emphasized its significance as a key development in Nigeria’s climate resilience strategy. He pledged that the Federal Government would enhance its interventions to address erosion and the degradation of watersheds.
“The project is structured to combat soil degradation, enhance food security, and promote land restoration, aligning with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP),” Lawal stated.
He reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to sustainable management of land and water resources, alongside community development. “We aim to protect lives, safeguard agricultural lands, and infrastructure, ultimately improving livelihoods across numerous communities nationwide,” he added.
The minister highlighted that the project would fortify climate adaptation strategies and encourage inclusive participation from communities at every level. He noted that the EIB’s financial support enables Nigeria to strengthen its efforts in erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration.
The Federal Government, with backing from the World Bank, previously initiated the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project under the International Development Association (IDA), known as NEWMAP-IDA. This project commenced in 2013 with seven pilot states and expanded to 23 states across the country.
Throughout its implementation, NEWMAP-IDA effectively mitigated gully erosion, enhanced community livelihoods, and built institutional capacity, concluding in June 2022.
To build upon the successes of NEWMAP-IDA, additional financing from the EIB was secured, with a facility of €175 million approved in 2020, just before the closure of the previous initiative.
Lawal announced that the newly designated NEWMAP-EIB has successfully passed all necessary technical and financial evaluations and is ready to commence.
The project will be executed over five years across 23 states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto.
“I am pleased to share that the Federal Government has allocated N750 million as the initial tranche of counterpart funding for the project, which is now set for implementation,” the Minister confirmed.
Mr. Roger Stuart, Head of the EIB Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, assured the Federal Government of the bank’s commitment to addressing soil degradation in Nigeria by 2030.
Mr. Anda Yalaks, the National Project Coordinator for NEWMAP-EIB, stated that the project aims to provide sustainable solutions to climate and environmental challenges.
Mr. Alkali Bello, Director of the International Economic Relations Department at the Ministry of Finance, highlighted that the initiative will mitigate Nigeria’s vulnerability to soil erosion.
Mr. George Earhart, a representative from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), pointed out that erosion poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of the populace, assuring support for Nigeria’s climate resilience efforts.
In a statement on behalf of the participating states, Mr. Manasseh Jatau, Deputy Governor of Gombe State, reaffirmed their commitment to initiatives aimed at mitigating and adapting to flooding and erosion challenges. (NAN)
