Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has approved the sum of five hundred million naira (N500,000,000) being the state’s counterpart funding for for NEWMAP-EIB project in the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odimegwu, recently when the State delegation joined the 23 NEWMAP-EIB participating states in Nigeria, including Federal Ministry of Environment, European Investment Bank (EIB), United Nations Office for Project Services (UN-UNOPS) at Barcelona International Hotel, Abuja.
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). It was aimed at ascertaining the level of preparedness of States towards the project and for the disbursement of funds to the participating states.
Odimegwu said the readiness of his State (Anambra) 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 Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo to help curb the erosion menace that has eaten up to 40% of the land mass in 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 cognisance 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 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.
