World Bank earmarks N2bn to tackle erosion in Imo

The World Bank on Tuesday said it had earmarked more than N2 billion to tackle erosion in Imo.

Mr Beniot Bosquet, the Sector Manager on Environment and Climate Change Matters, World Bank African Region, disclosed this in Owerri.

A statement issued by Mr Sam Onwuemeodo,  the Special Assistant on Media to Gov. Rochas Okorocha, quoted Bosquet  as making the pledge when his team paid courtesy visit on the governor.

The statement said the fund was approved to tackle erosion at Umueshi in Ideato South, Ihioma-Ogbaeruru in Orlu and Eziala Obizi in Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Areas.

Other erosion sites are Ezem Azu Uruala in Ideato North and Umuezealaibe in Isu Njaba Local Government, which the statement said, were awaiting approval by the World Bank.

It quoted Bosquet as saying that the Nigeria Erosion and Water Shade Management Project (NEWMAP) was set up by the bank in conjunction with the Federal Government.

The joint efforts, the statement said, were to tackle environment and climate change issues in the South East.

Bosquet called on the Imo Government to support the intervention through the payment of its N400 million counterpart fund in order to access the approved amount.

The governor expressed gratitude to the World Bank team for its interest in the development of the state.

He said the state would pay part of its counterpart fund to ensure that the work commenced in earnest.