Anambra State has been designated as a beneficiary of the Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP), an initiative designed to mitigate erosion and land degradation across the nation.
This designation was disclosed by Mr. Anda Ayuba-Yalaks, the National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, in conjunction with the Federal Project Management Unit, following the conclusion of a three-day assessment tour encompassing five erosion-affected sites within the state.
According to Ayuba-Yalaks, the intervention project will be implemented through the European Investment Bank (EIB), following the payment of the state’s N500 million counterpart fund by Governor of Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“The delegation conducted an on-the-spot assessment of five uncompleted erosion sites within the state in collaboration with the Anambra Government,” he said.
He listed the visited sites to include, Ndi Agu, Ikenga Ogidi, Nkpor Flyover, Ugamuma Obosi, and Abagana.
“This project aims to provide long-term sustainable land degradation control measures and support the state project management unit in accelerating implementation,” Ayuba-Yalaks said.
Ayuba-Yalaks outlined plans to implement best practices for erosion mitigation in Anambra and praised the Governor Soludo for his financial support.
Prof. Phil-Eze explained that the federal government directed the project to focus on completing five sites from a previous World Bank project.
“New erosion sites will only be addressed after the completion of the existing ones,” he noted.
He said: “Gov. Soludo considers erosion a major threat to the people of Anambra and is committed to tackling the issue.
“All necessary support will be provided to ensure the successful implementation of these projects,” he assured.