NEWMAP erosion project to gulp N2.2b in Cross River

PLANS are now underway to address land degradation and gully erosion in Cross River State, with the launch of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) project, which about N2.2billion is expected to be expended in five sites.

NEWMAP project became effective on September 16, 2013. The World Bank agreed to finance the Project with a credit of $500 million. The World Bank Board approved this credit in addition to fully blended grants of $3.96 million from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and $4.63 million from the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) on May 8, 2012.

Speaking on the achievement of the Project, the Cross River state project Coordinator, Mr. Fidelis Anukwa said NEWMAP is to invest about N2.1billion on the first five project sites in the State. He said Engineering/civil works have commenced in the four of the five sites in state.

According to Mr. Anukwa “contractors have been mobilized and are currently working in Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Ekpo and Nyangasang project sites.”

On counterpart funding, the Cross River state NEWMAP project Coordinator, thanked the State Governor Mr. Lyel Imoke for the “approval and release of N230million as first tranche of counterpart fund to support the Project in the state. He said this has made it possible for the Project to meet up with the issue of Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) to likely Project Affected Persons (PAP) a compulsory aspect of the project prior to commencement civil works, without which no implementation of action could be carried out in the affected areas.”

According to him, NEWMAP has paid compensation to 126 affected persons so far as Resettlement action plan, implemented in Cross River state in four cleared sites namely Ikot Ekpo, Atakpa, Nyangasang and Edim Otop during this implementation exercise. The beneficiaries were those that will be directly affected by the ongoing construction works at gully erosion sites in the state.
He however noted that, “the compensation was paid in compliance to the World Bank guidelines like same assisted project which requires that such payment be borne by the state government through the counterpart fund.”

On the major contributory factor to the success of the project in the state, Mrs. Affiong Ani the Cross river state Communication Officer on NEWMAP said the Project Community participatory approach contributed to its huge success in the various project states.

She said “NEWMAP project seeks to achieve sustainable land management by promoting innovative erosion control techniques. The project aim is to secure support and participation from the stakeholders especially those in the different communities where the gully sites are located. She noted that series of public awareness and sensitization of the community members and stakeholders have been carried out in the states.

According to Affiong, “ to ensure environmental sustainability of these watershed activities there is provision for continuous engagement and participation of the affected communities who are the beneficiaries of this project and other stakeholders to stop further practices that will expose the soil through sensitization and awareness creation because of high level of ownership expected in the project.”