Government News Sources|17 March 2020
No fewer than ten communities across the State are set to benefit from the World Bank assisted Cross River State Erosion Project, which is a subset of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
The Commissioner for International Development and Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong who led the State delegation to the Steering Committee Meeting of the Project in Abuja, said Cross River State was listed amongst the States with high performance indices in the implementation of NEWMAP among the selected states across the Country.
Asibong said the aim of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) is to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-catchment areas including Cross River.
Whilst acknowledging the efforts of the State Governor, Sen. Prof Ben Ayade for attracting the project to the State and providing the enabling environment for the program to thrive, she said the aim is to ensure communities enjoy the benefits of the intervention, with some designed mechanisms.
The key outcome of the exercise was the resolution of community members to change the dynamics, especially regarding their erosion control activities, she explained.
Also speaking, the Project Coordinator, Mr Fidelis Anukwa, said the State had set up committees to sensitize the affected community members on the procedure for implementation of the livelihood activities in order for them to take full ownership.
We have put in place additional four Community Intervention Groups (CIGs) in each of our affected communities, and legally registered ten Community Associations.
The Community Action Plan and Livelihood Business Plan proposals for funding has been developed and reviewed, and behavior change campaigns on proper disposal of waste has been conducted across communities in the State.
Works are ongoing, with some already completed, at the erosion-ravaged communities in Ikot Nkebre, Atakpa, Edim Otop, Ikot Ekpo, Ikot Anwatim, Ikot Uduak, Ikot Enebong, Nyanghasang and LEMNA/Agric Quaters within the State metropolis as part of the CRS-NEWMAP intervention program in the State, whilst plans are also underway to scale-up the intervention program across the State.
The CRS-NEWMAP project is a flagship Project with great impact on environment and social development across the country.
