By Abigael Joshua

The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the European Investment Bank (EIB) Assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).

The project is designed to support the country in erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration.

Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, at the launch of the project, said it marks a significant milestone in the nation’s climate resilience project efforts.

The minister said that the Federal Government would scale up interventions to combat erosion and watershed degradation.

“The project is designed to tackle soil degradation, improve food security, and promote land restoration in line with the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

“The initiative reaffirms Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to sustainable land and water resources management as well as climate resilience, and community development.

“We will also safeguard lives, protect farmlands, infrastructure, and untimely enhance livelihoods across more communities nationwide.

“In addition, the project will strengthen climate adaptation measures and promote inclusive community participation at every level.

According to the minister, the support of the EIB in climate finance, provides Nigeria with opportunity to strengthen erosion control, flood management, and watershed restoration.

“The Federal Government, with support from the World Bank, initiated the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project under the International Development Association (IDA), known as NEWMAP-IDA.

“It was launched in 2013 with seven pilot states and subsequently scaled up to 23 states across the country.

“Over its implementation period, NEWMAP-IDA mitigated gully erosion, improved community livelihoods, and strengthened institutional capacity. The project was then formally closed in June 2022.

“To consolidate and scale up the achievements of NEWMAP-IDA, additional financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) was secured, and a facility of 175 million euros approved by the EIB in 2020, shortly before the closure of NEWMAP-IDA.

Lawal said that the updated project, now designated as NEWMAP-EIB, has successfully undergone all requisite technical and financial stages and is now ready for launch today.

“It will be implemented over a five-year period across twenty-three (23) states, namely: 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 inform you that the Federal Government has released N750 million as the first tranche of counterpart funding for the project, which is now ready for implementation,” the Minister said.

Also speaking, Mr Roger Stuart, the Head of the EIB Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, assured the Federal Government of support of the bank to tackle soil degradation in Nigeria by 2030.

Mr Anda Yalaks, the National Project Coordinator NEWMAP-EIB, said the project seeks to find a lasting solution to the issues of climate and the environment.

Mr Alkali Bello, the Director, International Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Finance, said that the project would reduce the vulnerability of Nigeria in the area of soil erosion.

Mr George Earhart, a representative from United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), said erosion threatens the livelihoods of the people.

Earhart said the UNOPS will support Nigeria to ensure climate resilience.

Speaking on behalf of the 23 participating states, Mr Manasseh Jatau, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State, assured commitment to mitigation and adaptation initiatives in checking flood and erosion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza