Cross River To Benefit From $659m Erosion Fund From FG, World Bank

Source: thewillnigeria.com
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SAN FRANCISCO, May 17, (THEWILL) - Nigeria and World Bank are to spend $659 million in tackling erosion in 11 states including Cross River State.


The initial amount of the project was $509 million but the Federal Government increased its counterpart funding because of the enormity of the project and its impact on the citizenry.


The Task Team leader of the World Bank for New Map Project handling the Nigeria Erosion and Water Shed Management Project, Mr. Steve Danyo, disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State.


Danyo disclosed that the engineering designs for the identified project sites in the State have been approved by World Bank to enable it tackle the threat of erosion on local communities. He said World Bank is happy with the way the Cross River State Government is handling the project under its Ministry of Environment considering its devastating impact on lives, stating that, its main objective is to provide capacity as well as undertake environmental assessment to ensure that the project is effective and result oriented.


Responding, Governor Liyel Imoke said that the execution of the project has the potential of creating effective relief and that the State Government is very keen on it and will drive it to conclusion while thanking World Bank for helping the State to fight erosion after four sites have been identified and approved by it.


Imoke explained that the sites are active and if left, more challenges will be created adding that its execution should have time-lines from start to completion.


The Governor said the State will ensure that the execution of the project is followed based on the guidelines because of its significant value and therefore, gave the Ministry of Environment one month to complete all documentation concerning it by hastening all correspondence and reduction of much bureaucratic bottle neck.


The State Ministry of Environment maintained that its team of engineers and consultants is prepared to start the intervention, adding that they are waiting for approval and inauguration of the various communities on the project after the consent of the State House of Assembly.


The visit was the third and final to the State after the first in December 2010 and second in February 2013.