Prince Jeffrey Adaralegbe, Abuja. The Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP) to engulf €175m from European Investment Bank (EIB) in a joint partnership with the Nigerian Government. With great pleasure, the Honorable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawa, revealed that the Federal Government has met all the requirements set forth on full implimentation of the project. According to him, the Federal Government obtained more funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2020 in order to broaden the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project’s (NEWMAP) scope. The EIB approved a facility of €175 million aimed at building upon and deepening the achievements recorded under NEWMAP-IDA, using the Strategic Watershed Management approach. 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 are the twenty-three (23) states where it will be implemented over a five-year period. Like its predecessor, the NEWMAP-EIB is overseen by the Federal Steering Committee, chaired by the Minister of Environment and comprising members from various MDAs. At the Technical Committee level, it is chaired by the Permanent Secretary. A National Project Coordinator oversees the Federal Project Management Unit, which is in charge of the project. This institutional arrangement is beeing replicated at the state level. The Minister disclosed further, that the Federal Government has released ₦750 million as the first tranche of counterpart funding to the Federal Project Management Unit. Declaring that the Funds have made it possible to carry out preparatory tasks like setting up an office, purchasing equipment, and performing other tasks required for the project’s launch. At the same time, participating states have shown commitment by also providing counterpart funds to their State Project Implementing Units, further ensuring the initiative’s success and sustainability. The initiative is a strategic extension of the government’s long-standing efforts to address land degradation, strengthen institutional capacity, and empower communities to adapt to the changing climate, according to Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks, National Project Coordinator NEWMAP-EIB, who gave an overview of the project. The problems that need to be addressed, he stated, are adverse gully erosion, flood problems, and other types of land degradation throughout the nation. We will attend to land degradation at the initial stage and see that we handle and stop it from further expansion. While in the areas where erosion is manifested, we will bring a lasting solution to it. It is a project that is going to come with the empowerment of devastated community, support livelihood and bring about sustainable development.” Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment/Chairman technical committe on NEWMAP-EIB, stated, that this European Investment Bank-Assisted Project, is designed to address critical areas of climate adaptation and erosion. “Today’s gathering is not just a ceremonial event, but a resounding reaffirmation of our shared commitment to a climate-resilient Nigeria. As we all know, environmental degradation, climate change-induced phenomenon will continue to threaten our ecosystems, livelihoods, and sustainable development efforts. This project was made possible through the support of the European Investment Bank which is a critical step towards our collective endeavour to confront these challenges head-on with innovative, inclusive, and scalable solutions.” He said He expressed gratitude to the European Investment Bank for not only recognizing the urgency of Nigeria’s environmental challenges, but also for standing in solidarity to build back smarter, greener and resilient cities. Stating, “This partnership reflects the kind of transformative collaboration the world needs, one that prioritizes people, planet, and prosperity.” ”I would like to extend a warm welcome to all of our partners from different Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and other development partners who have continuously provided us with technical assistance, policy, and community engagement. The foundation of this journey has been and will remain your unwavering dedication. ”I implore all parties involved to welcome this launch with a distinct goal and a revitalized call to action. Let us work together to transform plans into progress and obstacles into opportunities so that the NEWMAP-EIB project can serve as a model of sustainability and resilience for future generations.
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