The Federal Government in partnership with International
Development Association (IDA), Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund and
the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) is to begin implementation of the
Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) aimed at reducing
vulnerability to savaging gully erosion in seven states in Nigeria. Under phase
1 of the project, 21 sites have been declared bankable by the World Bank and
would cost about N19 billion while more states would be incorporated. Briefing
journalists Monday in Abuja, the National Coordinator, Chikelu Nwune, said that
the project would be financed through an eight-year Strategic Investment Loan (SIL)
of $508.59 million, consisting of a $500 million IDA concessional loan blended
with GEF and SCCF grants totaling $8,59 million. Nwune explained that the
Federal Government would contribute about $150 million, stressing that while
gully erosion is accelerating in the southeast, other forms of land degradation
is also on the increase in the north. He said, This amount comprises of a
federal cash contribution of $70 million and in-kind contribution of $24
million for staff, office costs and payment of compensation for resettled
people, and an in-kind contribution by each state of approximately $8 million
(for each of the seven states totaling $56 million) for staff and office costs
and pre-feasibility designs of intervention sites. States contributions to the
project financing are agreed criterion for project participation.
Guardian Newspaper
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