The World Bank has
set aside a whooping sum of N94.5 billion (about 580 million dollars) for
erosion control projects in Anambra State.
The Bank Task Team leader, NigeriaEerosion and Watershed
Management Project – NewMap, Dr. Amos Abu who disclosed this during a courtesy
call on the State governor, Chief Willie Obiano at the Government House, Awka,
Friday said the State had already paid its counterpart contribution of N500
million and approved four sites for the intervention.
Abu said Anambra State
was one of the 7 states selected for the
erosion control projects approved in
September last year and had been keeping
pace and setting the standards for the other participating states.
He explained that the Bank was equally planning to intervene
on major erosion sites of
The Work Bank Task Leader lamented that over 80 percent of
gully erosion sites were caused by poorly terminated drains resulting from road
construction
and disclosed that a retreat for Federal and State governments would be convened to check the dangerous
practice and key into global best
practices.
Responding, governor Obiano said the State had selected six
more erosion sites for World Bank intervention, bringing the number of sites
to ten and assured that his administration was ready to increase
the State’s counterpart contribution to
carry the new projects.
Obiano explained that the necessary structure had also been
put in place to promote transparency and accountability in the State’s collaboration
with the Bank.
He further revealed that the Ministry of Environment had been
directed to conduct fresh numeration of erosion sites in the State to give an
update on new sites, while sand excavation in all parts of the State had been
banned to determine its contribution in aggravating erosion devastation.
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