Oyo State Set to Benefit from European Investment Bank’s Erosion Control Intervention

• Apps
• BOILING POINT ARENA
• BREAKING NEWS
• Business
• CELEBRATIONS
• Crime
• Cybersecurity Columnist
• Design
• Education
• Entertainment
• Environment
• Fashion
• Food
• Gaming
• Health
• History and Culture
• Lesson
• Lifestyle
• Metro
• Movie
• Music
• News
• Nigeria Decides
• Opinion
• Politics
• Politics
• PRESS STATEMENT
• Relationship
• Relationship
• RELIGIOUS
• Review
• Science
• SECURITY
• Sports
• Tech
• Travel
• Uncategorized
• World

Ibadan, Oyo State – Oyo State has been selected as one of the 23 states in Nigeria to benefit from the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) intervention aimed at addressing erosion and land degradation. This initiative falls under the Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), which is assisted by the European Investment Bank.

The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) delegation to Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan. Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks, the National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, led the delegation. The visit was part of a scoping mission to evaluate Oyo State’s preparedness for the project’s disbursement and implementation.

Engr. Yalaks explained that the Federal Government of Nigeria initiated the Climate Adaptation: Erosion and Watershed project, succeeding the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP). This project aims to tackle land degradation in specific sub-watersheds, improve livelihoods, and promote environmental resilience for sustainable development. The European Union supports the project, with oversight by the FPMU and implementation by the 23 participating states, including Oyo State.

ADVERTISEMENT

Engr. Yalaks commended Governor Makinde’s administration for approving and releasing 500 million naira as a counterpart fund and meeting other essential prerequisites. He stated, “I’m happy to announce to you that Oyo State has met 100% percent legitimate criteria to attract the funding.” He also confirmed that prioritized sites, posing threats to lives and infrastructure, have been assessed and considered as candidate sites, aligning with the EIB’s conditions.

Barrister Bayo Lawal, the Deputy Governor, welcomed the FPMU delegation on behalf of Governor Makinde. He emphasized the achievements of Governor Makinde in addressing environmental challenges in the state and expressed optimism about the project’s success. He assured the team of the state’s full support, stating, “We are already on course and it is an irreversible course, we cannot go back, all the requests you have demanded from us as the state government, we will fulfil. We need to put more efforts in terms of making this partnership a workable one.”

Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, praised Governor Makinde’s leadership in prioritizing sites in Eruwa, Igbeti, Ibadan, and particularly the gully erosion site at Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, which threatens infrastructure. He affirmed the state’s readiness for full project implementation.

Dr. Sunday Ojelabi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Barr. Tayo Ayoade, the State Project Coordinator, and members of the State Project Management Unit of NEWMAP were also present at the visit.