23/05/2026
EdoFEWMA Announces Commencement of NEWMAP-EIB Climate Adaptation Project, Calls for Community Partnership
By: Winifred Inarumen
In a major victory for communities battling devastating erosion and flooding, the Edo State Government has announced the official rollout of the NEWMAP-EIB Climate Adaptation Project.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA)/ Project Coordinator of the Edo State NEWMAP-EIB, Hon. Mohammed Bawa Okoyomoh, revealed that work will begin immediately at critical priority sites across the State.
According to Hon. Okoyomoh, this milestone reflects a decisive step by the administration of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, to shield Edo communities from environmental degradation and protect lives and properties.
This announcement follows a high-powered, 5-day Project Implementation Workshop held in Asaba, Delta State organised under the auspices of the European Investment Bank-assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), alongside the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Federal Government.
The training brought together experts from the twenty three participating States to reinforce collaboration and alignment among participants, while also building practical capacity in procurement, engineering, environmental and social safeguards, finance, monitoring and evaluation, and project management. The overarching objective of the capacity-building workshop was to deepen participants' understanding of the complex project framework and to secure immediate approval for the initiative's procurement plan.
“While the government is deploying heavy infrastructure, engineering alone cannot win the war against flooding. Sustainable environmental outcomes are only sustainable when institutional drive is matched by grassroots responsibility” Hon. Okoyomoh stated.
He therefore made an urgent appeal for grassroot ownership, calling on all Edo residents to become active guardians of their surroundings by disposing waste properly and not in drainage corridors, by erecting structures on flood-free terrain, and by promptly alerting the Agency whenever erosion outbreaks or drainage blockages are observed.
According to him, the Agency will execute every aspect of NEWMAP-EIB initiative to the highest benchmark of transparency, efficiency, and professional excellence.
As climate change continues to threaten livelihoods across Nigeria, the NEWMAP-EIB initiative stands as Edo State’s shield. By combining world-class engineering with strong community ownership, the State is firmly on course toward a safer, cleaner, and flood-resilient future for its residents.
Photo caption
1. Edo State Participants with the management team of UNOPS and Federal NEWMAP-EIB at the just concluded project readiness implementation workshop held in Asaba, Delta State.
2. Edo State Project Implementation Unit led by the Project Coordinator; Hon. Mohammed Bawa Okoyomoh.
3. Random photo.
4. A presentation at the event
