The National Project Coordinator of Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), Ayuba Yalaks, has said the Ogun State government is fully ready to tackle gully erosion and has paid a counterpart fund contribution of N500m.
Yalaks stated that the fund is one of the major criteria to assessing support fund from European Investment Bank for approved intervention sites, NEWMAP-EIB.
He spoke on Wednesday in Abeokuta, while assessing the level of preparedness and readiness of the state.
DAILY POST reports that the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) in company of the Ogun State Project Management Unit (SPMU) led by the National Project Coordinator inspected the Makalewo and Olorunsogo gully sites, both in Ijebu Ode, the Ojumele gully site in Sagamu and Ishakale gully site in Ado – Odo, Ota local government area of the state amongst others.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the inspection exercise, Yalaks said the state is fully prepared to start operations and assured that the federal government and development partners would provide financial and technical support.
Receiving the team on behalf of the state governor, the Chief Economic Adviser to the governor who doubles as the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo and his counterparts from the Ministries of Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya and Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan, appreciated the team for the visit, disclosing that the payment of the counterpart funds demonstrated the state’s commitment to helping protect its citizens from the devastating effects of erosion and flooding.
On his part, the State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Ismail Adenuga, explained that the main goal of the visit and the inspection tour was to evaluate the extent of the erosion’s damage and its effects on the environment, communities while providing
long-term solution for the identified sites.
Meanwhile, some residents of the affected areas identified as Messrs Olubajo, Banuso Oyeyinka, Kayode Bello and Funmilayo Egbeleye, begged the government to find lasting solution by properly releasing the floodwaters into appropriate streams to prevent loss of lives and property.
