By Beauty John, LAFIA
A non-governmental organization (NGO) in Nasarawa state, Source of Hope Foundation says five local government areas in the state have been selected to benefit from Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), funded by World Bank to address the problem of gully erosion in both rural and urban communities affected in the state.
Founder of the NGO, Mrs Asibi Omeri Ogabo, disclosed this during a review meeting on the project so far by the state Focal NGO in Lafia, Tuesday.
According to her, the project aimed at correcting gully erosion, is expected to cover 18 sites in five selected local government areas in the state namely; Doma, Toto, Nasarawa, Lafia and Keffi.
“If you go to places like Angwan Liman, Angwan Lukman in Lafia here, then Keffi, behind the Emir’s place, Nasarawa local government among others, the situation over there is very bad.
“I am confident that the NEWMAP will do a lot about it because already, they have everything set on ground in order to mobilize their people to the site for the project to take off,” she added.
The NGO boss called on the public to pay more attention and proper care of their environments, as they avoid dumping of refuse on water ways.
Also, Jonathan Kwaghkha Ortoho, NEWMAP project coordinator in Nasarawa state, remarked that with the expansion of the project to cover Nasarawa alongside few other Northern states, Source of Hope Foundation, being the focal NGO in Nasarawa, were engaged to carry out advocacy and sensitization to the affected communities so that residents can give maximum cooperation during the implementation of the project.
The coordinator, represented by the project internal editor, Mr Jerry Idasho while lamenting the effects of erosion, said, a visit to the sites has revealed the worrisome situation most of the communities are, and the urgent need to address the situation before casualties are incurred.
