Edo Newmap EIB

28/11/2025

Edo State Pivots to Resilience, but Sustainable Success Rests on Residents

By Winifred Inarumen

Benin City, Nigeria - Flooding in Nigeria’s urban centres, including Benin City, is often blamed on heavy rainfall and rising water tables. Yet environmental experts are increasingly clear that rain alone does not cause disasters; human behavior does.
Across Edo State, blocked drainage systems remain the most powerful trigger of urban flooding. When drains designed to evacuate stormwater are clogged with plastic bags, bottles, food debris and household refuse, rainwater has nowhere to go. The result is predictable: streets overflow, homes are flooded, and livelihoods are disrupted.
The story is no different with gully erosion. While nature may carve the first line through intense rainfall and vulnerable terrain, it is human activity that accelerates its growth through deforestation, uncontrolled construction and poor land management which removes the protective cover of vegetation that holds soil together. In many communities, gullies are further abused as dumping sites for waste and sewage, turning environmental wounds into deepening scars.
Recognising this growing threat, the Edo State Government under Governor Monday Okpebholo has positioned itself as a proactive institutional leader in environmental protection through the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA). The State government has also fulfilled all eligibility requirements, including the payment of counterpart funding, to secure participation in the €175 million Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP–EIB), scheduled to run from 2025 to 2030.
This milestone places Edo State on a strategic global pathway that aligns its environmental agenda with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Yet a critical governance dilemma remains: infrastructure can only succeed when citizens cooperate.
While EdoFEWMA continues to invest heavily in flood control and erosion management, these technical gains are often undermined by indiscriminate waste disposal. Within months, sometimes weeks, newly cleared drains are once again choked with refuse.
To counter this, the Agency has intensified desilting operations across the State. This year alone, teams have worked in over 40 flood-prone locations in Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South. Some of these areas include, Akugbe Community, Saint Saviour, First and Second Ugbor, Upper Mission Extension Road, Ring Road to the NNPC Mega Station, TV Road, BIU Road, Urora Market to Ramat Park, Urora Ponds 1 and 2, Erhunwunse (Ehaekpen Junction to the Moat), Pond 5 in Abuja Quarters, Gapiona Pond 7, 2nd West Circular Road, among others.
The benefits have been immediate: improved water flow, reduced mosquito breeding sites, restored access to homes and businesses, and safer neighbourhoods. But the challenge remains behavioral.
“As long as drainages and water channels are treated as dumping grounds, the State will remain trapped in a cycle of expensive maintenance instead of long-term sustainability” - Hon. Mohammed Bawa Okoyomoh, CEO of EdoFEWMA and Project Coordinator of Edo NEWMAP–EIB.
To break this cycle, the Agency has adopted an integrated strategy that combines infrastructure intervention, early warning systems, environmental restoration, and aggressive community sensitisation. Afforestation programmes, soil conservation and ecosystem rehabilitation form the backbone of its rural and urban response.
Edo State’s coordinated response offers a blueprint for effective environmental governance in Nigeria. But no government policy, however well-funded, can outperform the collective behavior of the people.
In the end, resilience does not begin in government offices, but begins in households. It is sealed not with partnerships alone, but with plastic properly disposed of, with drains kept clear, and with communities choosing responsibility over convenience.
If Edo State is to sustain its environmental progress, residents must evolve from passive recipients of interventions, into active protectors of their communities and natural spaces. Only then will resilience become not just a policy goal, but a permanent reality.

#ｔｇｉｆ

13/11/2025

Congratulations your Excellency

12/11/2025

Congratulations on your 365 days in office, Sir.

27/10/2025

Edo Govt Shifts Focus to Grassroots Involvement in Tackling Flooding

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27/10/2025

Gov Okpebholo Strengthens Flood, Erosion Control Initiatives, Delivers on NEWMAP-EIB Funding Obligations

By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its firm commitment to tackling flood and erosion challenges across the Sta...

27/10/2025

Edo Govt's Commitment to Flood, Erosion Control Yields Positive Results

https://news.elationcoms.com/breaking-news-edo-govts-commitment-to-flood-erosion-control-yields-positive-results/?fbclid=IwVERDUANsMAlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHoZDSU-w5Gr3avu7jEKBMwQzj4rd3Bm72BNOrx4gYImT-apogxL6nkEHilet_aem_nVSAdrcFav9b7_bdFM4igA

Economy News BREAKING NEWS: Edo Govt’s Commitment to Flood, Erosion Control Yields Positive Results October 23, 2025 Elation123

24/10/2025

23/10/2025

From vulnerability to resilience: Edo strengthens Flood and Erosion Control efforts
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By: Winifred Inarumen
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‎Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the impacts of climate change and protecting vulnerable communities through proactive, community-led interventions.
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‎Speaking at a media briefing in Benin City, the Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA) and Project Coordinator of the Edo NEWMAP–EIB Project, Hon. Mohammed Bawa Okoyomoh, explained that the State was transitioning from disaster response to long-term climate resilience.
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‎He stated that for years, residents of Edo lived in fear whenever it rained, but that would change under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo. According to him, "the State has recorded significant progress in reducing the frequency and impact of flooding through decisive interventions.
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‎“Every rainfall once brought the threat of flooding that destroyed roads, homes, and livelihoods, but today, that fear is gradually fading, thanks to the vision and commitment of Governor Monday Okpebholo”.
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‎He cited the 2nd West Circular Road, from Oliha Junction to Textile Mill Road Junction, as a prime example.
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‎"For years, residents of the area endured perennial flooding until the Governor ordered extensive desilting works that restored access, eased flooding and revived community confidence. Similar results have been achieved in many communities also.
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‎"A good example is the Uteh–Iwogban Boundary Road Gully site, where years of erosion threatened homes and lives. The government of Senator Monday Okpebholo swung into action, reclaimed it and restored access roads in the area". He said.
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‎Hon. Okoyomoh noted that the interventions reflected the Governor’s SHINE Agenda, which prioritises infrastructure and environmental protection as drivers of development. He also commended the Governor for meeting counterpart funding obligations under the Edo NEWMAP–EIB Project.
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‎“These actions by His Excellency align perfectly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Edo State is mirroring national efforts to strengthen infrastructure, protect lives, and promote environmental sustainability”. He continued.
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‎Hon. Okoyomoh further noted that, while government-led engineering projects are crucial, long-term climate resilience depends on active community participation, adding that sustainable progress can only be achieved when citizens are empowered to take ownership of environmental protection and adaptation efforts.
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‎He urged citizens to adopt localized adaptation practices such as tree planting, proper waste disposal, rainwater harvesting and sustainable agriculture, calling on journalists to support the resilience campaign by focusing on solutions, citizen education and community-driven success stories.
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‎“No Government can achieve sustainability alone. Edo State stands at the forefront of climate adaptation, but this journey requires collective effort as true resilience is built from the ground up, through local knowledge, shared responsibility and community ownership”.

13/10/2025

Edo State Leads in Implementation Readiness as EIB Launches €175 Million Climate Adaptation and Erosion Control Project in Abuja.

By: Winifred Inarumen
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‎The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB), has officially launched the Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), a landmark €175 million initiative designed to combat land degradation, curb erosion and strengthen Nigeria’s resilience to climate change.

‎The high-profile launch, held at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, brought together State Governors, Federal Ministers, development partners, and international stakeholders with a unified commitment to restore Nigeria’s fragile ecosystems.
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‎Representing Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, at the national launch, the Edo State NEWMAP-EIB Project Coordinator, Hon. Bawa Mohammed Okoyomoh, reaffirmed the State’s readiness to commence full-scale implementation.
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‎“Edo State has successfully implemented the previous World Bank-assisted NEWMAP project, which earned international recognition for its impact on erosion control and community resilience. With this new EIB-assisted phase, the State is fully prepared to deploy international best practices in tackling climate-induced challenges and advancing sustainable land management”.

‎He disclosed that Edo State had already fulfilled all participation requirements, including the payment of ₦800 million counterpart funding, underscoring the Government’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability and the protection of vulnerable communities.

‎In his keynote address, Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, Mr Balarabe Abbas Lawal, officially declared the project launched. He announced that the Federal Government had disbursed ₦750 million as part of its financial commitment, while the EIB is providing €175 million, with national and subnational governments expected to contribute an additional €55 million.

‎Describing NEWMAP-EIB as “a life-saving, generation-impacting project,” the Minister emphasised the urgency of addressing environmental degradation driven by human activities. He cautioned against practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal and building on waterways, urging planners and engineers to promote sustainable urban development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises climate-smart and resilient cities.
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‎The European Investment Bank’s Regional Hub Representative for West and Central Africa, Mr Roger Stuart, stated that the project was designed to protect vulnerable communities, enhance soil formation and boost climate adaptability. He reaffirmed the EIB’s cooperation and long-term partnership with Nigeria and the 23 participating states.

‎Also speaking, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot, reiterated the European Union’s commitment to climate action, noting that over 60% of the EU’s development activities in 2023 and 2024 were dedicated to climate-related projects. He commended Nigeria’s proactive approach to environmental governance, highlighting NEWMAP-EIB’s potential to create over 25,000 green jobs through afforestation, watershed restoration and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

‎The National Project Coordinator, Engr. Ayuba Yalaks explained that the five-year project (2025–2030) will integrate erosion control, watershed restoration and community-driven climate adaptation measures across twenty three (23) states, including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau and Sokoto.
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‎To ensure a smooth takeoff, the Federal Ministry of Environment convened a three-day capacity-building workshop from the 1st to the 3rd of October, 2025, at the Barcelona Hotel, Wuse II, Abuja, for Project Officers from the beneficiary states. The training sessions focused on leadership, stress management, work ethics, and technical competencies for officers in communication, procurement, engineering, financial management, and environmental safeguards.

‎Certificates of participation were presented to Project Coordinators and their representatives at the conclusion of the workshop.

‎Supported by development partners including the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the French Development Agency (AFD), the NEWMAP-EIB project is projected to directly benefit over Seven hundred and fifty thousand (750,000) Nigerians by 2030, improving agricultural productivity, safeguarding infrastructure and building community resilience.

‎For Edo State, the project marks a renewed drive to combat soil erosion, flooding and land degradation, while creating new employment opportunities and strengthening sustainable land-use systems.

‎‎With its early counterpart funding and institutional readiness, Edo State stands out among participating states as fully equipped to implement the NEWMAP-EIB project to global standards, reaffirming its leadership in climate resilience and environmental sustainability.

10/10/2025

FG, EIB Host 3-Day Capacity Building Workshop for NEWMAP-EIB Officers in Abuja

By: Oghosa Izevbigie

Abuja, Nigeria — Following the official launch of the European Investment Bank (EIB)-Assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation, Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) on September 30, 2025, the Federal Ministry of Environment has held a three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the skills and preparedness of key officers for effective project implementation.

The training, which took place from Wednesday, October 1 to Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Barcelona Hotel, Wuse II, Abuja, brought together participants from 23 beneficiary states. Officers in attendance included Communication Specialists, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers, Accountants, Procurement Officers, Engineers, and other key project staff.

According to the organizers, the workshop was designed to align state-level officers with the project’s objectives, define their specific roles, and enhance coordination across implementing agencies.

The opening day featured introductions of Permanent Secretaries, State Project Coordinators, and other dignitaries. Participants engaged in sessions on emotional intelligence in leadership, stress management, conflict resolution, work ethics, and project management.

A session led by Dr. Israel Oladipo emphasized the role of emotional intelligence (EI) in effective leadership. He highlighted that emotionally intelligent leaders inspire better performance, promote organizational success, and prevent workplace crises.

Another session focused on stress management, where facilitators underscored the importance of healthy habits such as adequate rest, regular exercise, hydration, and proper time management in maintaining productivity and work balance.

On the second day, the workshop featured technical breakout sessions tailored to specific professional groups, including fiduciary officers, M&E and ICT teams, engineers, procurement staff, communication officers, environmental and social safeguards officers, and administrative personnel.

Each group received targeted training in their area of specialization. For instance, Communication Officers explored the “7 Cs of Effective Communication”—clarity, conciseness, correctness, completeness, concreteness, courtesy, and consideration, while Accountants were trained on maintaining transparent and timely financial records.
The final day featured brief presentations by representatives from each department summarizing key lessons from their breakout sessions. The event concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Participation to Project Coordinators and their representatives from the 23 states.

The training marks a major step in the operational rollout of the NEWMAP-EIB project, underscoring the Federal Government’s commitment, in collaboration with the European Investment Bank, to strengthening institutional capacity for sustainable environmental management and climate resilience across Nigeria.

08/10/2025

Edo assures standard climate adaptation, erosion, and watershed project implementation at NEWMAP-EIB launch.

By: Oladipo Airenakho

Benin City, Nigeria - The Edo State Government has assured stakeholders at the official launch of the one hundred and seventy-five million Euro European Investment Bank-Assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) in Abuja that its implementation in the State will be in line with international best practice.

Edo State NEWMAP-EIB project coordinator, Honourable Bawa Mohammed, gave this assurance on the sidelines of the national launch of the project, which had in attendance representatives and delegations from States, National and International stakeholders.

He added the State Government had already implemented all parameters demanded by the international donors and, therefore, was ready to start work to tackle the hydra-headed climate-change challenges facing residents of the State.

Honourable Bawa Mohammed drew the attention of the international donors to their previous billion-naira investment (NEWMAP Project) in reducing vulnerability to soil erosion, strengthening resilience against climate change, and safeguarding lives and livelihoods in the State, which had a positive impact on communities and won international acclaim and awards. He assured that the new low-interest facility by the European Investment Bank (EIB) will be properly channelled towards reducing climate change challenges, faced daily by members of various communities in the State.

He stated it was the strong conviction in the ability of the EIB intervention to support the transformation Agenda of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that informed the decision to make a counterpart payment of N800 million, which is one of the conditions for participation in the EIB programme.

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks also emphasised that the NEWMAP-EIB intervention will restore the landscape, support livelihoods and promote sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the representative of the European Investment Bank Regional Hub for West and Central Africa, Mr Roger Stuart, stated that the project was designed to protect communities and enhance soil formation for climate adaptability and promised the cooperation of the international financial body to Nigeria and the 23 States that are beneficiaries of its intervention.

Representatives of the National Assembly also gave goodwill messages and pledges of support for the success of NEWMAP-EIB Project, representatives of State Governments, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), European Union (EU) and Islamic Development Bank during the launch (IsDB).

The Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, informed participants at the launch that the EU was committed to investing 30% of its activities in climate actions. He stated that the international organisation had already done so, with a dedicated 60% of its activities to climate change in 2023 and 2024.

In his address at the event, Minister of Environment Balarabe Abba Lawal urged residents to avoid practices such as indiscriminate waste disposal and the obstruction of waterways with illegal structures, all of which, he said, compound the spate of destructive flooding caused by the increased rainfall being experienced across the country.

He explained that the European Investment Bank had decided to support the project with a 175 million Euro low-interest facility based on the results and achievements recorded with the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) under the World Bank.

This EIB support, he said, is to address climate change, erosion, flooding and watershed management issues in 23 States across Nigeria, and will be implemented over a period of five (5) years (2025 – 2030) with a promise of additional funding.

01/10/2025

Nigeria, EIB Unveil €175m Climate Adaptation and Erosion Control Project

By Winifred Inarumen

Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the European Investment Bank (EIB), has launched the Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB); a €175 million initiative aimed at tackling land degradation, curbing erosion, and strengthening the country’s resilience to climate change.

The official launch which was held on September 30, 2025, at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, brought together federal ministers, state governors, development partners, and international stakeholders in what has been described as a major milestone in Nigeria’s climate response.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was represented at the event by the State’s NEWMAP-EIB Project Coordinator, Hon. Bawa Mohammed Okoyomoh, who led the State Project Management Unit. Edo has already released its ₦800 million counterpart funding, signaling its commitment to the project’s immediate rollout.

In his keynote address, Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Project Steering Committee, Mr. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, declared the project officially launched. He announced that the Federal Government has disbursed ₦750 million as the first tranche of its commitment, while the EIB is providing €175 million. National and subnational governments are expected to contribute an additional €55 million.

Describing NEWMAP-EIB as “a life-saving, generation-impacting project”, the Minister stressed the urgency of tackling environmental degradation, largely driven by human activities. He cautioned against harmful practices such as building on waterways and poor drainage maintenance, urging town planners, surveyors, and architects to guide communities toward safer development choices.

The Minister also unveiled the NEWMAP-EIB Newsletter and reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’, which prioritizes climate-smart and resilient cities.

Earlier in the ceremony, students of Garki Secondary School, Abuja, captivated the audience with a spoken-word performance titled “Voice of the Earth.” Their powerful message underscored the dangers of erosion and the shared responsibility of Nigerians in safeguarding the environment — earning resounding applause from dignitaries and participants.

According to the National Project Coordinator, Engr. Ayuba Yalaks, NEWMAP-EIB will adopt a holistic approach that integrates erosion control, environmental restoration, aggressive community engagement and livelihood empowerment. The five-year project will span 23 states, including Edo, Gombe, Ogun, Delta, Ekiti, and others heavily affected by erosion.

Delivering a goodwill message, the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, H.E. Gautier Mignot, emphasized that climate change is “no longer a prognosis, but a reality destroying crops, livelihoods, homes, and lives.” He highlighted the project’s potential to create over 25,000 green jobs through afforestation, watershed management, and sustainable practices.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Hon. Wale Edun, Director of the International Economic Relations Department, Mr. Alkali Mustapha Bello outlined the project’s four key components, namely; Erosion and Watershed Infrastructure Investment, Strengthening Information and Institutional Services, Climate Change Response, Effective Project Management at State and Community Levels.

“The successful ex*****on of this project will not only reduce soil erosion risks,” he noted, “but also create jobs, protect infrastructure, and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s climate agenda.”

The project will be jointly implemented with support from partners including the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), World Bank, Islamic Development Bank, and the French Development Agency (AFD).

For Edo State, the project signals a renewed push to combat soil erosion, flooding, and environmental degradation while boosting agricultural productivity and protecting vulnerable communities. It also promises to create new jobs, expand capacity-building opportunities, and encourage sustainable land-use practices across the State.

With the launch of NEWMAP-EIB, Nigeria takes a decisive step in addressing the twin challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. The project is expected to directly benefit more than 750,000 Nigerians by 2030, improving agricultural productivity, safeguarding infrastructure, reducing disaster risks, and creating sustainable livelihoods.