By Akpan Glory

The Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project, supported by the European Investment Bank (NEWMAP-EIB), has commended the Ekiti State Government for pledging N1.1 billion as its counterpart funding for the project’s implementation.

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Engr. Anda Ayuba, made the commendation in a statement on Friday following the team’s visit to the state.

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr Oyeniyi Adebayo, represented Gov. Biodun Oyebanji during the engagement.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team was in the state to assess Ekiti’s readiness for project implementation and fund disbursement.

These are key requirements set by the European Investment Bank.

He expressed appreciation for the state’s financial commitment, but appealed for the full release of the pledged N1.1 billion to enable immediate commencement of project activities.

“All proposed sites in the state have met the selection criteria,” he confirmed.

Ayuba, however, raised concerns over the worsening condition of erosion-prone areas, particularly in Efon Alaaye Local Government Area and the Olorunda community.

Describing the situation as life-threatening, he recommended the urgent application of the Gully Rapid Action and Slope Stabilisation (GRASS) approach to prevent further degradation, pending the implementation of long-term solutions.

In his response, Adebayo thanked the NEWMAP-EIB team for their visit and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to environmental protection.

He confirmed that the N1.1 billion allocation had been approved and would be released at the appropriate time.

He also praised him for his proactive leadership and dedication to ensuring effective implementation of the project across participating states.

Adebayo noted that the NEWMAP-EIB project aligns with two pillars of Governor Oyebanji’s “Shared Prosperity” agenda of Infrastructure, Industrialisation and Good Governance.

He added that the governor remains committed to delivering democratic dividends and fostering sustainable development for the people of Ekiti state.

Also speaking, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Mr Tunde Balogun, commended Gov. Oyebanji for demonstrating strong political will by allocating over a billion naira to the project.

Earlier, the State Project Coordinator for NEWMAP-EIB, Dr Akinyugha Akinyemi, gave an overview of the initiative.

He noted that Ekiti had already benefited greatly from the first phase of NEWMAP, which covered nine local government areas, impacted 2,000 rural residents, and achieved 100 per cent completion of civil works.

Key sites included health centres, the Ogbomu culvert, and the Ajalogun Bridge in Ikere-Ekiti, a major route connecting Ekiti to Kogi State.

According to Akinyemi, the current phase of the NEWMAP-EIB project will focus on areas including Efon and Efon Alaaye local government aea, among others. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade