EU Lists 23 States As Beneficiaries Of Erosion Control Measures

By Ayodele Oni

The European Union, (EU) has shortlisted 23 States In Nigeria as beneficiaries of the European Investment Bank’s intervention in addressing the challenges of erosion and land degradation control in Nigeria.

The intervention project is under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Anda Ayuba Yalaks disclosed this  in Ibadan when he led the Federal Project Management Unit delegation on a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde to inform him that Oyo is among the beneficiary states.

The Project Coordinator revealed that the courtesy visit was part of the Federal Project Management Unit team to Oyo state scoping mission to evaluate the state’s readiness as a crucial step towards disbursement and project implementation take off.

According to Yalaks, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated the climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management project (Newmap) to address the issue of land degradation in a targeted subwatershed, improve livelihood, and promote Environmental resilience for sustainable development.

He added that the project is supported by the European Union and oversees by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) with implementation by the 23 participating states including Oyo State.

Yalaks commended Governor Makinde led administration for his approval and release of N500 million as counterpart fund and other important pre requisite requirements which secured the state as one of the 23 states for the EIB intervention.

His words, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100 percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.”

Welcoming the FPMU delegation on behalf of the Governor, the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal highlighted some of the achievements of Governor Makinde in demonstrating the highest level of political will to tackle environmental challenges in the state.

He expressed optimism about the project’s potential for success and assured the team of the state’s unwavering support.

“We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the state government, we will fulfil. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one”.