World Bank Team On Erosion And UNICEF Team On Health And Critical Sectors Storm Anambra For Governor Obiano

The World Bank Team on Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEMAP) has disclosed its readiness to continue partnering with Anambra
State Government on erosion control measures in the state.

The Team stated this during their courtesy visit to the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano at his country home, Aguleri.

Speaking during the visit the leader of the team, Dr Amos Abu noted that Anambra state was among the seven states benefitting from the project.

Dr Abu stressed that the project would gulp $58 million, saying that the state had already paid its counterpart fund of N500 million, while four erosion sites had been approved by the world bank for immediate intervention.

Dr Abu maintained that the Bank was also posied to fund more sites that were already designed to herald a new era of reversing land and water-shed degradation in the state while the second phase of the project would include id3entifying more sites based on priority of the government through technical assessment of sites to be considered.

He stated t6hat the project would not only address the issues of gully erosion, but equally create jobs, alleviate poverty and restore livelihood.
Also speaking, the National Project Cordinator , Mr Chikelu Nwunne assured that they would engage in a serious sustainable land management to provide permanent solution.
In his response, Governor Obiano while thanking the bank for its support to the state, assured that his administration would expand areas of collaboration to the state.
He said the state would evolve holistic approach to the intervention that would include putting in place necessary laws that would protect the environment and ensure that construction Companies did not aggravate erosion problems.
Earlier, the Commisssisoner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof Stella Okunna said the project at the state level was driven by steering and technical committees and was very important in tackling erosion menace in the state.
Anambra Signs Agreement with UNICEF, Solicits intervention in Critical Sectors
The Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano has signed a landmark Project Implementation Agreement (IPA) with the UNICEF with an appeal to the United Nation’s agency to increase its intervention in critical sectors of the state especially in education, health, promotion of child welfare, youths, as well as in HIV and AIDs.
The Agreement which is the first of its kind between the agency and any state in Nigeria covers partnerships with specified work plan and collaboration in the next two years involving cash assistance, technical support, and supply of materials.

Making the case for more assistance, Governor Obiano told UNICEF that “Anambra State has demonstrated zeal and commitment in the implementation of UNICEF programmes.

The State will be the first to complete the Solar Refrigeration for Immunization programmeas the outstanding one hundred and ninety centres will be fully equipped soon.”

He assured that all funds given to the State would be judiciously utilized while a project Monitoring Committee would be in place to ensure that the deserved goals are achieved. Obiano equally said that he would soon embark on the inspection of UNICEF projects in the state to ensure that they are making the desired impact.

Earlier, the Chief of UNICEF “A” Field Office, Mr. Charles Nzuki who signed on behalf of the agency said that UNICEF wouldspend S1.1million dollars within the period, and assured that the Agreement is a demonstration of the continued support of UNICEF to the state which is targeted at scaling up interventions that promote child survival, development and protection.

 He commended the State for sustaining the strong partnership that contributed in keeping the state polio free for eight years.

Mr. Nzuki said that the new round of the programme would try to further reduce child mortality in the state from the current rate of hundred and eleven deaths per every one thousand births and the prevalence of HIV which stands at over 8 percent.

He assured that they would work with the line Ministries to identify priority areas where UNICEF could offer support to ensure that Anambra state government meets its development goals.