THE government of Anambra State has said it was engaging in preventive measures against erosion.
The State Project Cordinator of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Agency Project (NEWMAP), Mr. Michael Ivenso stated this during the third edition of “Meet the Media”, an exclusive insight into the administration of Governor Willie Obiano.
The event according to our correspondent, took place at Jerome Udoji Secretariat Complex, Awka.
According to Ivenso, the budget of the state cannot service erosion sites as there are about 1, 000 erosion sites in the state.
He noted that intervention was ongoing in fourteen sites, with three completed already, awaiting inauguration by Governor Obiano.
The NEWMAP Cordinator who explained that NEWMAP is an alliance between the federal, state governments and the World Bank, to form state-led efforts to tackle erosion challenges in Anambra.
He stressed that it was a priority intervention owned and sponsored by Anambra State government, explaining that the World Bank made intervention in form of soft loan, as the projects were always community-owned and driven.
According to him, a study carried out by the World Bank in Anambra State, showed that ninety nine percent of erosion was man-made.
The NEWMAP Cordinator explained that government intervention in erosion menace was social, beyond environmental, emphasizing that over N200 million has so been disbursed to support people affected by erosion in the past, with some of the beneficiaries setting up piggery, poultry, among other business ventures.
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obiano, Mr. James Eze, assisted by his Deputy, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, anchored the event.
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
