By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State and 22 others states of the Federation are set to benefit from the €175 million Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) is officially launched in Abuja
The project funded by the European Investment Bank is designed to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion, strengthen resilience against climate change, and safeguard lives and livelihoods.
For Ekiti State, interventions will focus on the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, following the successful completion of projects executed in the South and North Districts under the first phase of NEWMAP.
The state team, led by Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tunde Balogun, and State Project Coordinator, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, confirmed that Ekiti had fulfilled all requirements and satisfied every condition required to partake in the project.
In his address at the launch of the project in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the project will help protect infrastructure, enhance livelihoods, and support community resilience.
He urged Nigerians to avoid practices that worsen flooding, such as indiscriminate dumping of refuse and building on waterways.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, who spoke through the Director of International Economic Relations of his ministry, Alkali Mustapha Bello, described the project as a milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to address climate change and erosion.
The European Investment Bank (EIB), represented by Roger Stuart, pledged full support, noting that it is the first EIB-backed climate adaptation project in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Other development partners, including UNOPS, the Islamic Development Bank, the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, alongside the National Assembly and State Governments, also pledged commitment to the project’s success.