KNSG pays N500m counterpart for erosion management

Kano state government has paid N500m as counterpart funding to the Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) with view to addressing the menace of erosion in the state.

The state Governor, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje made the disclosure at the official commissioning and handing over ceremony of Gandu -Tukun Tawa - Zoo Road Erosion and Flood Control Project executed by the Federal Government at Municipal and Kumbotso Local Government Areas.

Represented by his Deputy, Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, Ganduje said the move was part of the collective engagement between the Federal Government and World Bank to checkmate environmental degradation challenges.

He explained that, in complementing the effort of the Federal Government to address erosion and floods problems, Kano state government had also constructed 65 drainages across the 44 local government areas of the State and ensured sustenance of annual clearance of major and minor drainages to avert threat of flood in the state.

“Kano state government has employed over 1000 sanitation vanguards for effective implementation of public health laws in the state in addition to the 100 forest guards being employed by the state to manage forest formation,” he said.

In his address, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Professor Stephen Ocheni said the 2.5 km project was one of the ecological intervention projects approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to address the erosion menace and flooding as well as to improve the environmental condition of the affected areas.

“The cardina l objective of this administration is also hinged on addressing the infrastructural deficit which Ecological Fund Office is equally complementing and pursuing with all vigour especially in tackling ever growing ecological and environmental Challenges across the Country,” he stated.