World Bank, Nigeria to spend $508 million on erosion control in Gombe
Summary
Project Coordinator for NEWMAP said the funding will be used for construction, water management and tree planting projects.
The Project Coordinator for the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in Gombe State, Bala Nayaya, has said the sum of $508.96 million will be spent to control erosion – as well as address the effects of erosion – in several communities in the north-eastern state.
According to a statement released on Thursday, Nayaya said the funding will be provided by the World Bank and its partners including the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Gombe State government and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
Nyaya was on a visit to some of the communities in Akko Local Government Area of the state that have been devastated by gully erosion. He said the anticipated funding will be used for construction, water management and tree planting projects.
The objective of NEWMAP is to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds. According to the World Bank, the project has four components: reducing vulnerability to land degradation; effective implementation of erosion and watershed management; strengthening Nigeria's strategic framework for climate action; and financing.
“Gully erosion arising from natural and human activities has ravaged many communities, resulting in substantial loss of agricultural lands, human settlements, grazing lands and roads,” Nayaya stated.
Nyaya advised communities in Gombe State to continuously engage with NEWMAP. He also promised that affected parties would be compensated and given funds to start up business.
Initial projects to be focused on include, Kumo General Hospital-Jauro-Tukur stream erosion control; Federal College of Education-railway line gully erosion control; and Gombe International Hotel-State House of Assembly Flood control; among others.
Related
-
World Bank commits $57 billion for development projects in Sub-Saharan Africa
The financing will provide access to improved water sources, 5,000MW of generation capacity in renewable energy, etc.
-
Development banks agree on initiative to track climate finance
Knowing how the money is flowing is critical for reaching areas of opportunity and need.
-
S&P Global affirms AfDB's AAA rating with a stable outlook
The ratings agency further stated that it expects AfDB to “prudently manage growth in private-sector lending in a way ...