World Bank plans post-NEWMAP project to control environmental challenges 

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project says the World Bank is designing a post-NEWMAP sustainability project to be known as Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes,  ACReSAL, which will be anchored on the NEWMAP structure for continuity.

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Dr. Salisu Dahiru, said in Gombe after inspecting the ongoing Gombe State University-Malam Inna Gully Erosion Control Project that the project was required to be enlisted into the new project

Dr. Dahiru commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for contributing funds and other support to the Gombe State NEWMAP, which had led to the significant progress made in the implementation of the Gombe State University-Malam Inna Gully control work and afforestation activities across the state.

He said the quality of work at the ongoing Gombe State University-Malam Inna Erosion Control Site was highly satisfactory.

The project was initially projected to be completed in 18 months, but would now be completed in 7 months, because of the high speed in the implementation.

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP promised to continue providing the necessary technical support to facilitate the implementation of the remaining approved activities for the state before the end of the project.

The Commissioner of Environment and Forest Resources, Dr. Hussaina Danjuma Goje, commended the National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP for the guidance and technical support to the Gombe State NEWMAP, which had helped in realizing the objectives of the project.

Dr, Goje gave the other communities being threatened by gullies and other environmental challenges the assurances that the government would come to their aid, because Governor Yahaya was making efforts to address environmental challenges in the state.

The Gombe State NEWMAP Project Coordinator, Mr. Mohammed Garba, explained that the Gombe State University-Malam Inna Gully Control work had covered up to 7.5 kilometres in length has and had reached 75% completion rate.

Mr. Garba said NEWMAP would collaborate with the contractor to explore the possibility of constructing a dam that would collect runoff from the storm drains at the downstream for agricultural and other activities.

The village heads of Malam Inna Haruna Mohammed Bose and that of Kagarawal, Usman Bello said the project in the areas had been the most important project ever implemented in their communities, because it had provided protection for over 100 thousand people across the gully corridors.

The NEWMAP National Programme Coordinator, who was in the state on the invitation of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had earlier held discussions with the Governor on tackling environmental challenges in the state.

During the meeting, Governor Yahaya said Gombe State was fully committed to meeting the requirements for full participation in the ACReSal project, which is the successor programme to NEWMAP.

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