Governor of Cross River state has said that NEWMAP /FCPF/Redd+ activities has tremendously supported the state in addressing its environmental concerns, and “they are key projects to environmental sustainability.” According to him, “NEWMAP project intervention goes beyond environmental issues; it deals directly on the existence and livelihood of people.”
The governor who received a Team of WB/NEWMAP/FCPF in his office noted that the intervention of NEWMAP in Cross River is a clear manifestation that has shown that without the timely intervention of the Project it would have been very catastrophic.
Governor Ben Ayade who also took time to accompany the team on inspection of emerging sites in the state, applauded the NEWMAP programme and solicited for accelerated intervention in Ikot Nkebre and Ikot Uduak; two active gully erosion sites that continues with the spread of devastating damages in their wake.
Earlier leader of the technical mission DR BENOIT BOSQUET, PRACTICE MANAGER, ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AFRICA, WORLD BANK said the mission was to assess the impact of the NEWMAP project in the state and to Provide implementation and technical support/advice to the FGN with a view to accelerating the pace of the implementation of the FCPF program in Nigeria, with a focus to:
- Familiarize with the FCPF activities in Cross Rivers State (CRS)
- Visit pristine sites in CRS, and ;
- Assess progress made so far on NEWMAP Component 3 Restructuring.
Dr. Benoit observed as noteworthy the impact of NEWMAP which is very obvious, considering that the project is oversubscribed. He advised on prompt counterpart fund contribution, to ensure the project continues to meet with its PD objectives
The Mission which took place from 26th to 29th March, 2017, had as part of the Team NEWMAP Task Team Leader, Dr. Amos Abu Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank, and select Specialists of NEWMAP REDD+/FCPF.
