Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP)

Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) is a World Bank-assisted initiative aimed at addressing the gully erosion crisis in Southeastern Nigeria and land degradation in Northern Nigeria on a multi-dimensional scale.

The project was born out of a request for assistance made by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the World Bank in 2010. He sought help to combat:

• Severe gully erosion in Southern Nigeria
• Land degradation in Northern Nigeria
• Environmental insecurity

The project is monitored by the Federal Ministry of Environment and includes:

• Erosion and watershed management infrastructure investments
• Institutional development and information services
• Climate change response strategies

Background

• Board approval date: May 8, 2012
• Operational start date: September 16, 2013
• Team leaders: Amos Abu, Ruth Jane Kennedy-Walker, Grant Milne
• Implementing agency: Federal Ministry of Environment
• Total project cost: US$650 million
• World Bank committed amount: US$500 million
• Project duration: 8 years (expected completion: June 30, 2020)

Pilot and Expansion States

• Initial 7 pilot states (2013):
  Abia, Anambra, Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo

• Expanded 12 states (2015):
  Delta, Oyo, Sokoto, Gombe, Plateau, Kogi, Kano, Akwa Ibom, Borno, Nasarawa, Katsina, Niger

Achievements

Since inception in 2010, the project has recorded significant achievements:

• Grants for Resettlement:
  Grants awarded to individuals affected by erosion and land degradation to support relocation and alternative livelihoods.

• Meteorological & Hydrological Installations:
  Installation of meteorological stations, hydrological systems, and automated flood early warning equipment in riverbank regions.

• Special Climate Fund Creation:
  Fund established to address:

  • Gully erosion
  • Flooding
  • Land risk
  • Rainfall-related environmental threats

• Gully Catchment Development:
  Gully control catchments developed in highly erosion-prone areas across participating states.

• Nigeria Innovative Green Bonds:
  Developed to fund environmentally and climate-focused projects.

• Environmental Support Systems:
  Strengthened institutional capacity to manage climate-related environmental issues across Nigeria.

References

• Official project website (archived)(https://web.archive.org/web/20210608172143/http://www.newmap.gov.ng/)