NEWMAP-EIB partners UN project office to tackle erosion in Nigeria

The Nigeria Climate Adaptation Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB) is set to collaborate with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to address the challenges of erosion and environmental degradation, fostering sustainable development across the country.

The National Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks, disclosed this during a meeting with representatives of UNOPS in Abuja.

A statement released on Saturday in Abuja by NEWMAP-EIB’s Communication Specialist, Madina Gertrude, quoted Yalaks as reaffirming the project’s commitment to environmental restoration and resilience as key components of Nigeria’s sustainable development.

Engr. Yalaks highlighted two key components of the NEWMAP-EIB project: Erosion and Watershed Infrastructural Investment and Project Management. He noted that these were designed to provide technical assistance where necessary to ensure effective project execution and the achievement of the Project Development Objective (PDO).

He emphasised the importance of a holistic approach to project implementation, stating,
“Addressing erosion at its root—focusing on mitigation, flooding, and land degradation—will provide long-term solutions that are both cost-effective and sustainable.”

According to him, the project is focused on environmental restoration, strengthening community resilience against climate change, and promoting sustainable infrastructural investments.

“When communities are actively engaged and take ownership of solutions, they not only learn how to manage land degradation but also sustain the interventions through simple maintenance techniques,” Yalaks added.

He commended UNOPS for its ongoing engagement with Nigeria and for updating the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) on ongoing restructuring efforts within the organisation. He also expressed optimism that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government of Nigeria and UNOPS would soon be signed, ensuring the project’s disbursement becomes effective.

UNOPS Leadership Restructuring

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Houcen Agrebe, Head of Operations in Dakar, Senegal, explained that the UNOPS restructuring is aimed at improving efficiency across Africa.

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He announced that Ms. Ifeoma Monwuba, the outgoing Director/Representative of UNOPS Ghana Multi-Country Office, will be succeeded by Sylvia Gario. He noted that the restructuring primarily affects senior leadership roles in Africa.

Additionally, Agrebe disclosed that while the UNOPS office in Ghana previously covered only Anglophone countries, it has now been expanded to include Francophone nations.

Despite these leadership changes, he assured stakeholders that the project agreement remains unchanged. The UNOPS Nigeria office will now interface with its regional office in Dakar, Senegal, with Agrebe overseeing project implementation following the signing of the Service Level Agreement (SLA).