The World bank assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project – NEWMAP- has signed contract for stabilisation, reclamation and channeling of Katsina, Funtua, Malumfashi and Jibia towns storm water drainage to tackle environment degradation.
The contract was signed by Katsina State Newmap and contracting Firms that will handle the projects.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari who was represented by the Commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Hamza Suleiman Faskari said government put these projects as high priority to the present Masari led administration.
He said is a Journey that started since April 2016 after No objection obtained from the World bank.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari also said such kind of partnership with the World Bank is the surest way for government to fulfill it promises to the electorates.
He said under Newmap the state government paid #500m into the Government counterpart Fund account and also contributed over one billion in kind.
According to him these were contributions towards the provision of office accommodation, furniture, equipment and some bankable designs, some of which we are today witnessing commencement of implementation.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari however assured all stakeholders that the state government is willing to discharge it responsibility through the state project management unit -SPMU- to allow for the smooth implementation of the projects.
He urged the successful contractors and other stakeholders to ensure full compliance to the terms of agreements for smooth implementation of the projects.
Governor Aminu Bello Masari also thanked the world Bank for providing support towards ensuring that issues of Environment degradation in the state are reduced to the barest minimum.
He therefore advised the contractors to mobilize to the site on time and deliver the 12 months time frame provided in the details of the contract.
The Katsina State Newmap Project Coordinator Engr Ashiru Mohammed stated that Masari led administration has shown so much concern towards solving environmental issues in the nook and crannies of the state.
Engr Ashiru Mohammed explained that Katsina State government saw the need to partner with the World Bank through Katsina State Newmap to tackle Erosion challenges in the state.
The project Coordinator also mentioned that the contract signing agreement was historical, as the menance of Erosion in Katsina, Funtua, Malumfashi and Jibia towns would become a thing of the past, adding that it would erase the impression of people who thought the project was a fluke and a campaign deceit.
Engr Ashiru Mohammed therefore commended the state Governor for for ameliorating the sufferings of the project affected person and expressed happiness that the project would commence soon.
The contracting firm representatives, Mr Tony mosa of Mother cat limited and Mr Sadiq Awud of Triacter Nigeria limited thanked Katsina Newmap for awarding there companies the contracts, promising to deliver according to the contract specifications
The Contract signing which goes with the guidelines and Protocols of NCDC have in attendance, the permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Environment Alh Sani Isiyaku Masari, the director Ecological services in the ministry Alh Abubakar Mamman Gege and members of the state project management unit-SPMU- among others.
Communication Officer
Katsina NEWMAP
