NEWMAP-EIB - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
May, Fri, 2025

NEWMAP-EIB holds pre-launch meeting with states

211 total views today

By Abigael Joshua

Mr Ayuba Yalaks, National Project Coordinator, European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) on Friday convened a high-level meeting with coordinators from the 23 participating states ahead of its official launch.

The states are Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, and Sokoto.

The meeting was attended by key stakeholders including the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Mahmud Kambari, who was represented by the Director of Legal Services, Mrs Oluyemisi Salako.

Hazel Natukunda, Head of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Nigeria; as well as all state Project Coordinators, Procurement Officers, and Monitoring and Evaluation personnel were in attendance.

In his keynote address, Kambari reiterated the ministry’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

He emphasised the importance of the NEWMAP-EIB project in tackling Nigeria’s pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, erosion, and land degradation.

In a goodwill message, Natukunda reaffirmed UNOPS’s continued support for Nigeria’s environmental development initiatives, noting the significance of partnerships and teamwork in driving progress.

Earlier, Yalaks outlined the project’s objectives, which included providing updates on the current status, reviewing the draft work plan, and planning strategies for a successful launch scheduled for June 2025.

He urged the state coordinators and their teams to work with unity, team spirit, and effective coordination.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NEWMAP was initially launched with support from the World Bank and the Nigerian Government to tackle gully erosion, land degradation, and watershed mismanagement nationwide.

Between 2013 and 2022, the project implemented transformative interventions in 23 states, employing bio-engineering, strategic catchment management, community-driven development, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

After the World Bank-supported phase ended in June 2022, the European Investment Bank partnered with the Nigerian Government to sustain and expand NEWMAP’s achievements.

This new phase, which will last five years, continues to focus on watershed management through two main components, as outlined in the project documentation.

The first component focuses on stabilising severe erosion sites, preventing emerging erosion to reduce future costs, and improving preparedness for landslides and flooding.

The second component supports project delivery through technical assistance, enabling Federal and State units to implement the project effectively and achieve its goals.

By retaining the original 23 states, NEWMAP-EIB ensures continuity, builds on past successes, and strengthens Nigeria’s climate resilience, natural resource protection, and support for vulnerable communities. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NEWMAP-EIB commends Ekiti’s N1.1bn fund pledge

Tosin Kolade
Apr, Fri, 2025

Environment

NEWMAP-EIB commends Ekiti’s N1.1bn fund pledge

392 total views today

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