The Cross State  Government yesterday presented cheques worth N 497.28 million 8,129.84 through the state Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (CRS NEWMAP) to four contractors for erosion intervention within Calabar Municipality as a partnership between it and the World Bank.

Speaking before the presentation of cheques at the official launch of CRS NEWMAP at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, said the project is important because the state understands its challenges and the opportunities it presents to the affected communities.

The governor said the relationship with the bank has brought transformation to the state’s economy and its people by addressing poverty alleviation, wealth creation and jobs, adding that Cross River is one of the states in partnership with the bank which aims to be a leading state in the country.
According to him, “This is a partnership  that will help the state to understand the challenges of erosion be it man-made and not natural. There is need for land management so that we are not bogged back by recurring problems as this takes the community so much to sustain the solution.”

Continuing, the governor charged: “NEWMAP has to be dynamic to do its work before the next rainy season and they have to work with the affected communities to understand how the menace can be addressed through tested  technology which is  the best and more sustainable and less expensive. It should be supported with the planting of grasses and trees  on erosion sites.”

Source: Thisday