Clara Omuluzua Madubike | I-Witness News
Anambra Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Dr Felix Odimegwu has confirmed that Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has provided the sum of five hundred million Naira only (N500m) being counterpart funding for NEWMAP-EIB project.
He made this known when the Anambra State delegation joined the 23 NEWMAP-EIB participating states in Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Environment, European Investment Bank (EIB), United Nations Office for Project Services (UN-UNOPS) and held at Barcelona International Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.
The occasion which was a joint hybrid in person and virtual mission for the European Investment Bank assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) meeting was aimed at ascertaining the level of preparedness of States towards the project and for the disbursement of funds to the participating states.
Odimegwu opined that the readiness of the State in terms of the availability of the counterpart fund and the eagerness to commence the environmental restoration project was as a result of the agenda of His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo to help curb the erosion menace that has eaten up to 40% of the land mass in our dear state, Anambra.
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Adam Kambari who represented the Minister of Environment Balarabe Abbas Lawal stated that the Federal Ministry has also 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 which is aimed at tackling erosion and flood. He reaffirmed that with the personalities in attendance, all issues delaying the commencement of EIB funding will be unbundled.
He also emphasised that the mission takes cognizance 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. 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 NEWMAP National Project Coordinator, Mr. Andy Ayuba Yalak also called on the participating States to adhere to the guidelines to facilitate the release of EIB funding. He also 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.
