Government embarks on land reclamation projects

Erosion has been a big challenge in Edo state, and the government has decided to tackle the menace. The World Bank assisted land reclamation project is said to cost N9billion.

According to the Edo state government, this second phase of the land reclamation project, will involve ten sites in three senatorial districts.

At an interactive session, with members of the World Bank, the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) team present, the Edo state Commissioner for Environment and Utilities, Prince Clem Agba said “Those are the ten sites that we currently doing design. Hopefully we believe that with the competent team that we have now, our designs will be found bankable by the World Bank and also by Food and Agricultural Organization.”

He quickly highlighted that the Governor, started the project, five years ago.

He also said 'We started looking for ways and means of dealing with the issue, that was when the governor met with the late to seek for assistance and it was agreed that Edo State should be part of NEWMAP.'

The sum of $650m is available to states who have been hit hard by erosion.

It is supervised by Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).