The Communication Specialist of the Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), Gertrude Madina, has announced that the National Project Coordinator, Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks met with the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, ably represented by the chief of staff, Hon. Oyeniyi Adebayo on Thursday in his office at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti.
A release made available to the media Friday by the Communication Specialist, states that the NEWMAP- EIB team were in Ekiti State to assess the state’s project participation and disbursement readiness, which is one of the conditions precedent outlined by the European Investment Bank.
He expressed appreciation to the Ekiti State Government for allocating the sum of 1.1b Naira as counterpart fund contribution to the project. He however appealed to the government to consider the release of the full amount to kickstart project operations in the State citing its critical importance to project implementation.
He further stated that all sites brought forward have met the site selection criteria.
Engr. Anda, visibly disturbed, lamented the life-threatening state of some of the sites in Efon Alaaye LGA and Olorunda community and recommended that the GRASS (Gully Rapid Action and Slope Stabilization) approach be applied as soon as possible to stabilize sites and stop further degradation pending the deployment of a a lasting solution.
The Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Hon Oyeniyi Adebayo thanked the team for the visit and mentioned that the Governor is swift in approving and acting on environmental and natural resources matters. He disclosed that the Ekiti State Government has earmarked ₦1.1 billion as counterpart fund contributions to the project, which would be released at the appropriate time.
Adebayo commended the National Project Coordinator for his proactiveness and for ensuring that NEWMAP- EIB attains the highest level of implementation across all the participating states.
He highlighted Governor Oyebanji’s mantra for governance which is tagged;
” Shared Prosperity” saying NEWMAP- EIB addresses two of the pillars i.e Infrastructure/ Industrialization and Good Governance.
He assured the people of Ekiti State that HE, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji is a service-oriented person and is committed to ensuring that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy, good Governance and prosperity.
He charged the team to continue to be in the fore front of performance in respect of NEWMAP -EIB Project development objectives in Nigeria.
The Ag. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tunde Balogun thanked the Governor for demonstrating the highest political will by allocating over a billion Naira to the project.
The State Project Coordinator NEWMAP-EIB, Dr. Akinyugha Akinyemi earlier in his presentation of the overview of the project, mentioned that Ekiti has benefited immensely from the phase 1 NEWMAP as 9 local governments were covered, 2,000 people in rural areas benefited, all civil work on sites were 100% completed, including sites at the health centers, Ogbomu culvert, Ajalogun bridge IKere- Ekiti, a major connecting road to Kogi State.
He stated that this phase of NEWMAP -EIB Project is expected to cover Efon, Efon Alaaye LGA amongst others.