Oyo State has emerged as one of 23 Nigerian states selected to benefit from the European Investment Bank (EIB)-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), aimed at combating erosion and land degradation.
The development was announced on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to Governor Seyi Makinde by the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), led by the National Project Coordinator, Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks.
The visit was part of a scoping mission to assess the state’s preparedness for the implementation phase of the intervention.
Engr. Yalaks commended Oyo State for its commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly its fulfilment of key prerequisites, including the release of a N500 million counterpart fund. This, he noted, secured the state’s eligibility for the EIB intervention.
“Oyo State has met 100 percent of the legitimate criteria to attract the funding,” Yalaks stated, confirming that prioritized erosion-prone sites in areas like Eruwa, Igbeti, Ibadan, and LAUTECH, Ogbomoso have been assessed and designated as candidate sites for the project.
Representing the governor, Deputy Governor Barrister Bayo Lawal reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the project, highlighting Governor Makinde’s consistent efforts to address environmental challenges. “We are already on course, and it is an irreversible course,” Lawal said. “We will fulfil all the requests demanded from us.”
Also speaking, Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Arch. Abdulmojeed Mogbonjubola, praised the governor’s strategic leadership in prioritising critical erosion sites, particularly the gully erosion threatening infrastructure at LAUTECH, Ogbomoso.
Other dignitaries present included the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Sunday Ojelabi; State Project Coordinator, Barr. Tayo Ayoade; and members of the State Project Management Unit.
