Kogi govt releases N100million to tackle erosion menace
Kogi state government has paid N100million as its counterpart contribution to World Bank for erosion control in the state.
The state government also called on the Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to deploy innovative erosion control techniques and robust integration of flexible structures to tackle the menace of gully erosion in the state.
Governor Yahaya Bello made the call during the official launch of Kogi State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (KGSNEWMAP) held in Lokoja, the state capital at the weekend.
He said that environmental degradation is a disaster that can easily impoverished agrarian native societies,pointing out that unchecked gully erosion can wipe out farms and homes in just a few years thereby turning land throwing families into destitutes and refugees.
The governor stressed that the agony and pains experienced by victims can not be quantified interns of loss of property and lives.
Bello, who disclosed that eight gully erosion sites have been discovered across the state, charged the project coordinator to entrench preemptive measures designed to reduce the vulnerability of the target locations that have soil erosion and environmental degradation in the state.
He listed the eight sites to include ; Ogane-Aji in Dekina LGA, Etahi in Okene LGA, Ozuri in Adavi LGA, Ankpa in Ankpa LGA, Ugwolawo in Ofu LGA and Omigbo river in Kabba-Bunu LGA.
Governor Bello , said the severity of the soil erosion and other environmental disasters in the state formed the decision of the state government towards finding an integrated and sustainable solutions to arrest and reverse the menance.
He commended the federal government and the World Bank for structuring and supporting the noble cause, saying that the World Bank has shown appreciable interest in helping Kogi state to develop.
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Earlier , the World Bank Country Director, Mr Rachid Benmessa had disclosed that over 2.5 billion people world wide will be removed from poverty through the operations and activities of the NEWMAP.
He said the collaboration of Kogi state and the World Bank towards eradicating the menace of erosion will not be limited to eight sites only , assuring that more sites will be added to tackle gully erosion in the state
Task team leader of NEWMAP, Dr Amos Abu, who represented the Country Director KGSNEWMAP revealed that beside fighting erosion , the organization will provide capacity building and jobs for the people to improve their standard of living.
According to him , the World Bank does not partner with states who do not show high level of commitment, and commending Kogi state government for prioritising the issue of environmental degradation in the state.
