FG to consider NEWMAP Project as Agency- Minister
Environment Minister, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar today acclaimed that “the evidence based achievements of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) has called for government consideration of transmuting the project into an Agency”. He said turning the project into an agency at both federal and state levels will ensure sustainability, especially in watershed management.”
In his remarks at the joint meeting of Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), World Bank (WB) and NEWMAP States Steering Committee Chairmen (States Honorable Commissioners of Environment) on the closing date of NEWMAP, Dr. Mohammad highlighted NEWMAP achievements from project effectiveness, and thanked the Federal Ministry of Finance and the World Bank for their support to the project, as well as in actualizing the plan for NEWMAP II which will focus on reversing landscape and livelihood degradation in arid and semi-arid zones of the country.
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“As at December 2019, NEWMAP as a flagship project of the Ministry, has reclaimed 1,722.41 hectares of degraded lands, with reduction in loss of lives and infrastructure, a phenomenon that earned the project many Awards on sustainable land management at local and international levels,” he noted.
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He lauded the Project staff and National Project Coordinator, NEWMAP Dr. Salisu Dahiru for the implementation success, project delivery, Team work and leadership qualities which is obvious with the level of results recorded by the Project.
The World Bank Country Director, represented by Dr. Amos Abu, Senior Environment and Natural Resources Specialist, (World Bank country office Nigeria) and NEWMAP Task Team Leader (1) reiterated the need to ensure effective exit strategy on NEWMAP and the actualization of proposed NEWMAP 11. He thanked the minister for his continued support and also appealed for the federal government continuous collaboration to ensure project sustainability.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Environment Dr. Bakari Wadinga represented by NEWMAP National Project Coordinator, Dr.Salisu Dahiru, advised Commissioners of participating States to adhere strictly to project institutional arrangements while they should look at the option of non-cost extension to enable speedy completion of awarded sites and related studies.
Adebayo Thomas
National Communication Specialist,
NEWMAP
