The National Project Coordinator of the Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), Ayuba Yalaks, has confirmed that Ogun State has paid N500 million in counterpart funding as part of efforts to address gully erosion across the state.
Yalaks disclosed this on Wednesday during an assessment tour of erosion-prone areas in Abeokuta, noting that the payment was a key requirement for accessing financial support from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for approved intervention sites.
The inspection covered gully erosion sites in Makalewo and Olorunsogo (Ijebu Ode), Ojumele (Sagamu), and Ishakale (Ado-Odo/Ota LGA). Yalaks assured that the state was fully prepared to commence operations, with technical and financial support to come from the federal government and development partners.
Receiving the delegation, Chief Economic Adviser and Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okubadejo, alongside the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya, and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaolu Olabimtan, said the state’s financial commitment reflected Governor Dapo Abiodun’s determination to protect residents from erosion and flooding.
On his part, the State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Ismail Adenuga, explained that the visit aimed to assess the scale of environmental damage and chart sustainable solutions for the affected communities.
Meanwhile, some residents of the impacted areas, including Olubajo Banuso Oyeyinka, Kayode Bello, and Funmilayo Egbeleye, appealed to the government to provide lasting remedies by ensuring proper floodwater channels to safeguard lives and property.
