NEWMAP PESPECTIVE Vol 1 - FINAL.cdr

A Newsletter of the Akwa Ibom State Project Management Unit of NEWMAP Vol. 1, No. 1 April - June, 2018


AKWA IBOM STATE LAUNCHES




NEWMAP IN STYLE




- Carries out emergency intervention
at Etim Umana gully erosion site


















































The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel (right) presenting a plaque to the World Bank
Country Director, His Excellency, Dr. Rachid Benmessaoud (left) during the latter’s visit to Akwa Ibom State


Akwa Ibom State gets early World Bank Country Office
flood warning system courtersy holds Retreat in Akwa Ibom

of NEWMAP - Page 8 State - Page 14

Page 2 NEWMAP Perspective
AKWA IBOM LAUNCHES




T he Akwa Ibom State Government has launched attaches to issues that affect the environment. He said
the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management
the philosophy of NEWMAP keys into the development
Project (NEWMAP), a World Bank-assisted project,
especially in areas of infrastructure renaissance and
aimed at tackling erosion and other environmental agenda of the Udom Emmanuel administration
problems in the State. The launching, which took place consolidation, promising the commitment of the state
on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, signals full ownership of government to making funds available for the timely
the project by the State Government. completion of the project. The governor, who was
represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Ekpo,
While launching the project, the State congratulated other State governments on keying into
Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, noted that the the NEWMAP programme, saying the programme
partnership with the World Bank through NEWMAP is a would go a long way in addressing the numerous
demonstration of the seriousness the government environmental challenges faced in the country.













































The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, H.E. Mr Moses Ekpo (OFR) presenting the speech of
Governor Udom Emmanuel during the project launch






















Dr. Amos Abu, Task Team Leader of NEWMAP at Etim Umana
Hon. Comm. for Environment and Mineral Resources Traditional rulers and other dignitaries during
Progress of work - 6th February, 2018 the project la
gully erosion site during the due diligence mission on August 12, 2017unch
presenting his opening remarks

NEWMAP Perspective Page 3
NEWMAP IN GRAND STYLE




In his welcome address, the Commissioner for State NEWMAP as the “Prince and Princess of the last
Environment and Mineral Resources, Dr. Iniobong batch of entrants to NEWMAP”. He noted that Akwa
Essien, expressed delight at the launching of the Ibom State is the only state to benefit from emergency
project and described it as important in view of the response since the commencement of NEWMAP in the
threat posed by gully erosion to the state's country.
environment. He expressed confidence on the Present at the project launch were dignitaries
capacity of NEWMAP to confront gully erosion from within and outside the state including the
menace in a sustainable manner, saying erosion Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyang-eyen;
menace requires multifarious approach that Commissioner for Finance, Mr Linus Nkan;
combines civil engineering, vegetative land Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles
management and other protective measures. Udo; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Glory Edet;
In his remarks, the National Project Coordinator of and representatives from World Bank, NEWMAP, as
NEWMAP, Alhaji Salisu Dahiru described Akwa Ibom well as Federal Ministries of Environment, and Finance.






















NEWMAP National Project Coordinator, Alh. Salisu Hon. Comm. for Lands, AKS, Arc. Ime Ekpo
Dahiru presenting his goodwill message taking the opening prayer



















The then Chairman of Uyo LGA, Barr. Mfon Ben AKS NEWMAP Coordinator, Dr. Ubong Harrison
giving his remarks giving the vote of thanks




















The Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, H.E. Mr.Moses
Progress of work - 12th February, 2018
Ekpo (OFR) after performing the symbolic flag-off Progress of work - 12th February, 2018
Progress of work - 12th February, 2018
of emergency intervention at Etim Umana site

Page 4 NEWMAP Perspective


AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP STEERING


COMMITTEE INAUGURATED


E l d e r E t e k a m b a Ekpo; Commissioner for Local
Umoren noted that Government and Chieftaincy
with the inauguration Affairs, Mr. Udo Ekpeyong;
o f t h e S t e e r i n g Special Adviser Bureau of
C o m m i t t e e , t h e Political and Legislative Affairs
implementation of and Water Resources, Hon.
NEWMAP in Akwa B a r r . E k o n g S a m p s o n ;
Ibom State will be C h a i r m a n , T e c h n i c a l
f a s t - t r a c k e d t o Committee on FDI, Mr.
address the gully Gabriel Ukpeh; and the
erosion and flood Accountant General of
menace in the State. Akwa Ibom State, Uwem
The committee is Andrew-Essien; while the
c h a i r e d b y t h e State Project Coordinator, Dr.
H o n o r a b l e Ubong E. Harrison is the
Commissioner for secretary.
Environment, Dr.
His Excellency, Mr. Udom Emmanuel Iniobong Essien and Responding, the chairman of
Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State
has as its members: the steering committee and
Commissioner for C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r
T o facilitate the smooth Works, Mr. Ephraim Inyang; Environment noted that The
i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f
Commissioner for Finance, Mr. essence of having an inter-
NEWMAP in the State, the
Linus Nkan; Commissioner for m i n i s t e r i a l s t e e r i n g
s t a t e g o v e r n m e n t
inaugurated the State Economic Development, committee was to ensure that
NEWMAP Steering Committee Planning, and Manpower t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l
on Friday 10th February, 2017 Development, Mr. Idorenyin challenges addressed in
at the conference hall of the Udoh; Commissioner for NEWMAP are addressed
Office of the Secretary to the Justice and Attorney General holistically taking into
State Government. Speaking o f t h e S t a t e , B a r r . consideration the root causes
during the inauguration, the U w e m e d i m o N w o k o ; of gully erosion which
Executive Governor of Akwa Commissioner for Agriculture, includes poor termination of
Ibom State, Mr. Udom D r U m o i n y a n g . O t h e r d r a i n a g e s a n d o t h e r
E m m a n u e l w h o w a s members of the committee unsustainable land-use
represented by the Secretary are Commissioner for Lands practices while protecting
to the State government, and Town Planning, Arc. Ime the livelihoods of the
benefiting communities.

I m p o r t a n t T i m e l i n e s

August 26, 2017 Approval of emergency intervention at Etim Umana gully erosion site by the NEWMAP EDITORIAL TEAM
Task Team Leader
February 10, 2017 Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP Steering Committee formally inaugurated by Editor-in-Chief:
His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel
Ubong Harrison
January 23-24, 2017 Key documents ( 2017 Work Plan, Procurement Plan, and Disbursement Plan) to facilitate Editor:
the implementation of NEWMAP in Akwa Ibom state approved by the World Bank
Mfon Lawrence
September 6-8, 2016 Joint World Bank/FAO/FGN Technical Implementation support Mission visits Contributors:
Akwa Ibom State to inspect three NEWMAP priority intervention sites
Uduak S. Akpan;
April 7, 2016 The Nigeria Country Office of the World Bank grants a “No Objection” Ifiok Udo Ekott;
for Akwa Ibom State to participate in NEWMAP
Ekpenyong Udoh;
December 23, 2015 Federal Ministry of Finance grants approval for Akwa Ibom State
to participate in NEWMAP Iberedem Uko;
Emem Essien
September 30, 2015 His Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel submits a
Letter of Expression of Interest

NEWMAP Perspective Page 5


WE ARE PLEASED TO BE PART OF NEWMAP


- Dr. Iniobong Essien, Hon. Comm. for Environment, AKS.



Q: Will all the sites mapped out be tackled at the same
time?
Because of the cost of interventions, we assess these
interventions based on priorities as directed by His
Excellency, Gov. Udom Emmanuel. We have chosen St
Luke's Hospital gully erosion site, Anua, and also on that
same alignment, we have Etim Umana and further
down to Udo Inwang. The costing for the permanent
ones have been done, designs for the permanent
intervention has been put in place and I'm happy to say
that World Bank has given “No Objection” to two of
these sites. In other words, given approval to those
designs and even the costing – BEME (the Bill of
Engineering Measurement and Evaluation) are also
approved. So what is left now is actual implementation.
Q: How soon is the implementation coming?
There is a procurement process that goes on in World
Bank. Procurement has to do with transparency of the
process of getting those that would supervise the work
and those that will actually do the construction of the
permanent structure. So that process is what we are
Dr. Iniobong E. Essien is the Honorable Commissioner of
Environment and Mineral Resources in Akwa Ibom State going through and we've gone through this process for
and the Chairman of the Steering Committee of Akwa quite sometime until one of the sites eventually
developed into an emergency and again we also thank
Ibom State NEWMAP. In this interview, he speaks about
the World Bank for responding promptly – they came in,
gully erosion and flood menace in Akwa Ibom State and
the efforts of the State government through Akwa Ibom they had seen, and they had agreed with us that there
was an emergency in one of the sites.
State NEWMAP in addressing these challenges Read on..
Q: What made it an emergency?
Q: Why does Akwa Ibom State need NEWMAP?
It was an emergency because the gully head was
Nigerian Erosion and Watershed management Project degrading at a rate much faster than anticipated and
(NEWMAP) is a World Bank Assisted project which has if we were to wait to go through the procurement
come in at a time when Akwa Ibom truly needs such a
project. With the kind of challenges that we have in our process, then certainly there could have been a total
collapse of the area particularly around Etim Umana
environment – challenge of severe gully erosion,
and therefore World Bank had come in to give approval
challenge of flooding around various parts of the state, to that emergency intervention and this intervention is
the coming or our making road into NEWMAP is most
going to form part of the permanent structure that will
welcomed.
be put in place to control the erosion around Etim
Umana. So the story was quite exciting for the residents
Q: How serious is the challenge of gully erosion in the of these areas and government had tried its best to put
State? in some remedial measures to reduce loss of lives and
The challenge is very serious. We have gullies in almost
all the Local Government of Akwa Ibom state and we loss of properties.
have taken pains to map them out, locate them in all
Q: Any idea of what the project cost is like?
the 31 local governments of the state. We have The permanent intervention is going to cost between
mapped them into groups of gullies and all the local
the 2 sites about N7billion. So World Bank will bring in
governments are captured and we've also done some about 7b on those 2 areas while the state government
costings of intervening in those erosion sites. The cost is so
has its counterpart fund contribution. A lot is certainly
huge that there is no way the state government alone going to happen.
can deal with this.
Q: How receptive are the residents of these areas?
Q: Are you saying sir, that the state government cannot We must thank the people of Etim Umana and Anua
do anything about these threatening menace?
areas for showing understanding so far in the course of
As a responsive government, His Excellency, Gov. Udom community engagements with them. They are really
Emmanuel has responded to a number of remedial
looking forward to World Bank coming in to partner with
measures – a number of interventions in most of the the state government to put in place permanent
devastated areas, but what we need at this time is not
structures that will make a difference in the lives of the
just the remedial measure which is a temporary community.
structure, we need a permanent structure which is what
has taken us to partner with NEWMAP.

Page 6 NEWMAP Perspective



WORLD BANK APPROVES EMERGENCY INTER-


T he World Bank had granted “No Objection” to The emergency intervention helped the

the Engineering Design for Etim Umana gully
erosion site in Akwa Ibom State under the
Akwa Ibom State government avert a major
Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project environmental crisis in the state capital. If the
(NEWMAP). The Akwa Ibom State Project remaining trapezoidal drain discharging water
Management Unit was in the process of procuring a from the underground channel had completely
collapsed, a large part of Ewet Offot and Eniong
construction firm for permanent intervention at the
Offot villages would have been affected.
site. However, due to the increased rainfall, the
structural stability of the existing storm drains was
seriously compromised and the chute was steadily - Dr. Iniobing Essien
washed away. Consequently, residential, commercial Hon. Commissioner of Environment and Mineral
and religious buildings around the gully sites were Resources and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State
being damaged during every rainfall. This situation NEWMAP Steering Committee
was presented by the Akwa Ibom State Government to
the World Bank with a passionate appeal for urgent
intervention at a meeting held on Tuesday August 1,
2017 at the World Bank's Country Office.
Consequently, the World Bank carried out a Due
th
Diligence mission to the site on 12 August 2017 to
confirm the status of the site. The due diligence
mission revealed that if an intervention is not carried
out urgently to project the remaining part of the
existing drain, that more rainfall will lead to the collapse
of the drainage channel which will have a very negative
impact on the underground drainage system that
discharges at the site .

Dr. Amos Abu inspecting a finger of the gully during the
due diligence mission on 12th August, 2017








































Dr. Amos Abu, Task Team Leader of NEWMAP at Etim Umana
gully erosion site during the due diligence mission on August 12, 2017

NEWMAP Perspective Page 7




VENTION FOR ETIM UMANA GULLY EROSION SITE


W intervention at Etim Umana gully erosion for the emergency intervention was awarded to
ith the approval of emergency were fully met in December, 2017 and the contract

site in August 2017, the expectation was
contract was three (3)months. The site was handed
that civil works will begin within one month. Nigerpet Structures Ltd. The duration of the
However, the approval had a caveat that civil works over to the construction firm on 29th December,
can only begin after all environmental and social 2017 and the civil works commenced immediately.
safeguards instrument are met. These instruments























Progress of work - 18th January, 2018 Progress of work - 22nd January, 2018























Progress of work - 25th January, 2018 Progress of work - 6th February, 2018























Progress of work - 12th February, 2018 Completion - Date

Page 2Page 8 NEWMAP Perspective


AKWA IBOM GETS EARLY FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM


COURTESY OF NEWMAP








T Watershed Management will be of benefit to the institution
he Nigeria Erosion and generated from the equipment

P r o j e c t ( N E W M A P ) i s given the institution’s expertise in
supporting the Federal Ministry Hydrology. After the inspection
of Environment in the area of of the equipment, the team
early flood warning to avert noted that the equipment is 80%
incidences of loss of properties completed and will be properly
and lives during floods. NEWMAP branded with NEWMAP insignia
is doing this by installing early when completed. During an
flood warning systems in coastal interactive session after the
areas of five River Basin inspection, the team also noted
Development Authorities that the Early Flood Warning Unit
namely: Anambra/Imo River of the Federal Ministry of Barr. Offiong Udoffe
Basin Development Authority, Environment will supply Akwa Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Cross River Basin Development I b o m S t a t e M i n i s t r y o f Environment and Mineral Resources, AKS
Authority, Niger Delta Basin Environment and Mineral
D e v e l o p m e n t A u t h o r i t y , Resources and Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP Technical Committee in
Sokoto/Rima River Basin NEWMAP data from the facility. Akwa Ibom State expressed his
Development Authority, and appreciation of the Akwa Ibom
Upper Benue River Basin S p e a k i n g o n t h e State government to NEWMAP for
Development Authority. In Akwa development, the Permanent the equipment and promised that
Ibom State which is within the Secretary of the Ministry of the Ministry will make the best use of
coverage area of Cross River Environment and Mineral the data that will be generated
Basin Development Authority, Resources, Barr. Offiong Udoffe, from the equipment.
NEWMAP had selected Oron as who is also the Chairman of the
one of the coastal areas to
benefit from the installation of
early flood warning system.

A team from the Federal
Project Management Unit
(FPMU) led by the water
resources specialist Engr A. Y.
Anda was in Akwa Ibom State to
assess the progress of the
installation of the equipment on
March 22, 2018. During the visit,
the leader of the team noted
that Oron was selected due to its
importance as an economic
center in the lower Cross River.
He also noted that after a quick
appraisal to ascertain the best
location for the equipment, the
assessment team selected the
Maritime Academy of Nigeria to
host the equipment. This was to
ensure that the equipment is Early flood warning system installed within Maritime Academy of Nigeria,
safe and that the data Oron, Akwa Ibom State to obtain climatic data of the area and provide
on the possible flooding of the lower Cross River

NEWMAP Perspective Page 9



JOINT WORLD BANK
/FAO/FGN TECHNICAL
IMPLEMENTATION
SUPPORT MISSION VISITS
AKWA IBOM STATE

A joint technical team
from institutions that are
major funding and
technical partners of the
Nigerian Erosion and Watershed
M a n a g e m e n t P r o j e c t
(NEWMAP) was in Akwa Ibom
S t a t e f r o m 6 t h t o 8 t h
The Mission Team with the Chairmen of the Akwa Ibom State Steering
September, 2016 to fast-tract and Technical Committees of NEWMAP, the State Project Management Unit,
t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f and others after the Welcome Meeting at the State NEWMAP Office
NEWMAP intervention projects
in the State. The team had
technical experts from the
World Bank, the Food and
Agricultural Organization, the
Federal Project Management
Unit from Federal Ministry of
Environment, and the National
Supervision and Quality
Assurance firm. The visit
afforded the team to assess the
level of readiness of Akwa Ibom
State for NEWMAP and to visit
selected sites for NEWMAP
intervention. The team paid a The Mission Team with the Chairmen of the Akwa Ibom State Steering and
Technical Committees of NEWMAP, the State Project Coordinator Unit,
courtesy call to His Excellency, and others after the Courtesy Call to the Executive Governor of
the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, represented by the SSG.
Akwa Ibom State and also held
meetings with the NEWMAP
stakeholders in the state.
Commenting on the visit, the
p r o j e c t c o o r d i n a t o r o f
NEWMAP, Dr. Ubong Harrison
noted that the visit marked the
official inclusion of Akwa Ibom
S t a t e i n N E W M A P a n d
expressed hope that the
engineering designs of the sites
presented by Akwa Ibom State
government to the World Bank
for NEWMAP intervention will be
given positive review since the
technical team have carried
The Project Manager of Dominic Utuk intervention
out physical assessment of the site (funded by Ecological Fund) explaining the
sites. objective of the intervention project to the
Mission Team.

Page 10 NEWMAP Perspective



AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP IDENTIFIES OVER 1000 GULLY



P resently, over 1000 gully erosion sites which activities, among others. In the urban centres,
the gullies are extending through streets,
spread across the 31 Local Government
Areas of the State have been identified by
undermining buildings and eventually
the Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP. These gullies destroying them thereby rendering the
have threatened communities, medical and occupants homeless and displaced with all
educational facilities, cut off roads and concomitant problems including job losses and
highways, destroying farm lands and properties, poverty.
disrupting transportation and socio-economic





















Gully erosion at Etim Umana Aerial view of part of the catchment area
Street, Uyo LGA contributing to IBB Avenue flood






















Gully erosion behind St. Luke’s Hospital, Behind a classroom block at Comm. Sec. Sch,
Anua, Uyo LGA Ikot Akpan Eshiet, Onna LGA






















Gully erosion at Ikot Uneke, Gully erosion behind Cornelia Connely College,
Ibiono Ibom LGA Uyo LGA

NEWMAP Perspective Page 11



EROSION AND FLOOD-PRONE SITES IN AKWA IBOM STATE



Factors that combine to cause severe gully ªUnsustainable practices in Agriculture, sand
erosion are: mining etc.
ªPoor land use practices, especially the Inappropriate termination of urban storm water
development of sunken footpaths along valley drainages
and hill slopes. Also, the very long coast line exposes Akwa
ªHeavy and prolonged rainfall Ibom State to the threats of coastal erosion and
ªThe loose nature of the soil aggravates soil flooding.
wash and accelerated formation of gullies ª





















Gully erosion at Edem Idim Ibakesi Rd,
Gully erosion in Oron LGA
Ini LGA






















Gully erosion around Mount Zion Light House, Gully erosion around Obot Itu close to
Oron LGA Mary Slessor Hospital, Itu LGA






















Gully erosion behind Abak LGA secretariat, Gully erosion at Nkit Itam,
Abak Iitu LGA

Page 12
AKS NEWMAP Constitutes Grievance Redress Committee

T he State Project Management Offot Community, Mr. Joseph the Community Level Grievance
It was on this premise that
Unit of NEWMAP in Akwa Ibom
Nyong, while Mrs Emem E. Akpan of
Redress Committee (CLGRC) was
State has set up a project-level
grievance redress committee. This AKS NEWMAP is the Secretary formed to function in attempting to
c o m m i t t e e w a s n e c e s s a r y In addition, arising from the p r o v i d e l a s t i n g p e a c e t o
following the payment of first phase numerous engagements with disagreements among parties who
of compensation to the Project aggrieved PAPs of Etim Umana hold different opinions or claims
Affected Persons (PAPs) at the Etim project site and in line with World over issues at the community level.
Umana gully erosion site, Uyo, and Bank requirements in that regard, a Specifically, this committee at Etim
in compliance with World Bank's community level grievance redress Umana was expected to function as
procedures in this regard. The committee was formed. This came first line handler of emerging
committee is chaired by the on the heels of realizing that grievances before forwarding same
Director, Centre for Alternative successful implementation of the to AKS-NEWMAP GRC. It was also
Dispute Resolution, Ministry of RAP depended to a greater extent charged with the responsibility of
Justice, AKS, Barr. Goddy Umoh on the support and cooperation of ensuring that the project met up
and has the following members: communities ravaged by erosion with scheduled timeframes by
Representative of Ministry of menace. There is no gainsaying the avoiding possible occurrence of
Justice, Barr. Ofonime Etuknwa; fact that in actualizing the overall communal clash while building
Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) NEWMAP objective of rehabilitating friendship, brotherhood and the
Consultant, Dr. Edem Esara; and reducing long term erosion ownership concept in the project.
Representative of the Focal NGO, vulnerability in targeted sub- Above all, the closeness of members
M r . U n y i m e R o b i n s o n ; catchment and by extension to the grassroots further built trust
Representative of Project Affected improving livelihoods of affected and confidence in the project while
Persons (PAPs) - Mrs Joy Ime Frank persons within the intervention area, promoting a sustainable feedback
Akpan; Representative of various stakeholders such as the mechanism to the SPMU on the one
Community Association, Dr. Bassey village heads, CBOs, NGOs, hand and the aggrieved owners on
Udeng; government institutions and other the other. The accompanying
Representative of AKS NEWMAP, relevant agencies collaborate to pictures show the AKS-NEWMAP
Ifiok Udo Ekott, Representative of enthrone a peaceful platform for Livelihood Officer handing over the
Eniong Community, Mr. Iboro the project to thrive. Logbook and Suggestion Box to the
Inyang; Representative of Ewet Chairman of the committee, Mr
Enefiok Etim.



















Chairman of state-level grievance redress committee, Barr. AKS NEWMAP Social Safeguards and Livelihood Officer, Engr Ifiok
Goddy Umoh (right); AKS NEWMAP SPC, Dr. Ubong Harrison (middle) Ekott (right) with Chairman of the Community Grievance Redress
AKS NEWMAP SSLO, Engr. Ifiok Ekott during a meeting of the AKS Committee during the presentation of suggestion box to Etim
NEWMAP grievance redress committee Umana NEWMAP Community Association


















AKS NEWMAP Social Safeguards and Livelihood Officer,
Engr Ifiok Ekott presenting the grievance log book Cross section of participants during the presentation of
to Etim Umana Community suggesion box at Etim Umana community

NEWMAP Perspective Page 13


WORLD BANK COUNTRY DIRECTOR VISITS

AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP SITE

T he Country Director of the Nigeria Office pace of progress of World Bank supported
of the World Bank, His Excellency, Dr.
projects in the State. Responding, Governor
Rachid Benmessaoud carried out a
working visit to Akwa Ibom State on March 6, Emmanuel appreciated the World Bank for
b e i n g a r e l i a b l e p a r t n e r i n t h e
2017 to improve the working relationship implementation of the developmental
between the World Bank and Akwa Ibom programs of the state government. Dr.
State. During the visit, Mr. Benmessaoud paid Benmessaoud also used the opportunity of
a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of the state visit to inspect the erosion control
Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Mr. Udom site at Dominic Utuk Avenue as well as the
Emmanuel and expressed his delight on the NEWMAP site at Etim Umana Street.





































Governor Udom Emmanuel (5th from left), Dep. Governor Moses Ekpo (5th from right) with World Bank team















World Bank Country Director, Dr. Rachid
Benmessaoud ® with His team at
Dominic Utuk gully erosion site










Commissioner for Environment (Dr. Iniobong Essien) with World Bank Commissioner for Environment (Dr. Iniobong Essien)
Country Director at the Pagus Hotel finger of Etim Umana gully erosion site with World Bank Country Director at the Apostolic
Church finger of Etim Umana gully erosion site

Page 14 NEWMAP Perspective


World Bank Country Office holds retreat in Uyo
- visits NEWMAP sites




























































Staff of the World Bank Country Office with the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Mineral
Resources, Staff of AKS NEWMAP and Etim Umana community members at Etim Umana gully erosion site

T Office hosted its 2017 Avenue flood control site. The
he World Bank Country
team that visited Etim Umana
Annual Retreat in Uyo, Akwa
Ibom State from Monday 11th gully erosion site was led by the
Honorable Commissioner for
September 2017 to Wednesday Environment and Mineral
13th September 2017. One of Resources, Dr. Iniobong Essien
the activities carried out during alongside the Akwa Ibom State
the retreat was visitations to sites NEWMAP Project Coordinator,
of projects supported by the Dr. Ubong Harrison. The team
World Bank. Consequently, was welcomed at the site by the
different delegations from the representatives of the Etim
Bank paid visits to the three U m a n a c o m m u n i t y w h o
approved NEWMAP sites, expressed their delight and
namely, Etim Umana gully appreciation to the Bank for
World Bank Chief Procurement Specialist,
erosion site, St. Luke’s Hospital considering the site for Chief Bayo Awosemusi (L) with Hon. Comm.
gully erosion site, and IBB intervention. for Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien at Etim
Umana gully erosion site.

NEWMAP Perspective Page 15


AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP HOST

STUDENTS OF UNIPORT AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP

COORDINATOR PRESENT A
tudents of the Department of Geography and Environmental
Management, University of Port Harcout embarked on a field
Strip to Akwa Ibom State on 14th October 2016 to have first hand PAPER ON WORLD
knowledge and experience of gully erosion sites. On hand to
receive the students was the Honorable Commissioner for WETLAND DAY
Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien who was represented by his special
assistant on Climate Change Mr. Unyime Robinson as well as the
State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP, Dr. Ubong Harrison. The
students were taken on a tour of the gully erosion site along Etim
buildings. After the site visit was an interactive session with the Akwa T he World Wetlands Day is
Umana Street, Uyo where they had first-hand view of the site as well
as the magnitude of destruction of residential and commercial
c e l e b r a t e d o n t h e
second of February every
Ibom State NEWMAP coordinator on unsustainable environmental year. In 2017, the theme of the
practices that can lead to severe gully erosion as well as what the celebration was “Wetlands
Akwa Ibom State government is doing to confront erosion menace for Disaster Risk Reduction”. To
mark the 2017 edition of the
World Wetlands Day, the
Centre for Wetlands and
W a s t e M a n a g e m e n t ,
University of Uyo organized a
public lecture in the University
of Uyo main campus and
invited the State Project
Coordinator Dr. Ubong
Harrison as one of the Guest
Speakers.

Speaking on the topic
“Wetlands Sustain Life: How
Can We Take Care of Them?”,
Dr. Harrison noted that the
t h e m e o f t h i s y e a r ’ s
celebration was in line with
Cross-section of the students after having a first-hand view of the gully erosion the focus of NEWMAP on
site at Etim Umana Street. The Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP coordinator, watershed management. He
Dr. Ubong Harrison is the second from the right on the front row.
further noted that for
wetlands to be sustainable,
there is need for improved
management for disaster risk
r e d u c t i o n , a n d
environmental managers and
policy makers need to
recognize that every wetland
is part of a larger watershed.
He also noted that a holistic
approach which takes into
consideration the lives and
livelihoods of households
and/or communities residing
in the different catchment
areas of the watershed must
be adopted to ensure
s u s t a i n a b i l i t y o f t h e
watershed in general and the
The students after the interactive session wetland in particular.

Page 16 NEWMAP Perspective


AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP HOSTS GRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF CALABAR








































Graduate Students of Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Calabar,
with staff of AKS NEWMAP at Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP Office


A s part of its extended noted that such field trips are launches aggressive
Akwa Ibom NEWMAP
crucial in assisting future
m a n d a t e t o b u i l d
environmental managers
human capacity on the
sustainable management of understand practical issues in public enlightenment
the environment, the Akwa environmental management.
Ibom State NEWMAP played Prior to the Coordinator’s remark, campaign on gully
host to graduate students of the the leader of the contingent, Dr. erosion and flood
Department of Geography and Joel Effiong noted that the visit
Environmental Management, was crucial to improve the preventive measures
University of Calabar on Friday relationship between the kwa Ibom State NEWMAP
2nd March, 2018. The students academia and practitioners in A is set to beign an
were in Akwa Ibom State on a t h e d i f f e r e n t f i e l d s o f aggressive campaign to
week- long field trip to have first- environmental science. create awareness on the
hand experience on the The visit afforded the attitudes and actions of persons,
environmental challenges students who were mostly of institutions, construction
f a c i n g t h e s t a t e a n d p o s t g r a d u a t e l e v e l t h e companies, etc. that can lead
t0understudy the approach of opportunity to visit Etim Umana to gully erosion or flooding. This
NEWMAP in managing flood gully erosion site where campaign is part of the strategic
and erosion challenges in the emergency intervention has communication component of
state. been completed. At the site, the NEWMAP which is targeted at
students had the opportunity of
interacting with the project preventing gully erosion and
Receiving the students in the flooding. The media campaign
AKS NEWMAP Office, the State manager of the construction firm will be in the form of radio jingles
Project Coordinator of Akwa t o h a v e a n i n - d e p t h and dramas and will be aired on
Ibom State NEWMAP expressed u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e all major radio stations in Akwa
his delight at their visit and engineering works done. Ibom State

NEWMAP Perspective Page 17


UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

WELCOMES NEWMAP INTERVENTION



iven the unique attributes of NEWMAP Present at the stakeholders engagement were:
intervention which is the adoption of a The Honorable Commission for Environment and
Gparticipatory approach with strong the Chairman of NEWMAP Steering Committee in
community involvement as well as the Akwa Ibom State (represented Mrs. Comfort
environmental management of the entire Asuquo, Director of Environmental Education and
catchment of a gully erosion site, the Akwa Ibom Awareness, Ministry of Environment and Mr. Paul
State PMU kicked off the community mobilization Okon, Head of Environmental Impact Assessment,
component of the intervention. The initial Ministry of Environment); The Transition Committee
community engagement was held on 22nd of Chairman of Uyo LGA; The Paramount Ruler of Uyo
March 2017 at the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council LGA; The Clan Heads of the other three clans in
Hall. The aim of this first stakeholders’ engagement Uyo LGA; other members of the Uyo Traditional
was to: get the commitment of the Uyo Local Rulers Council; and the village heads (or their
Government Council; get the commitment of the representatives) of villages that form part of the
traditional rulers of Uyo LGA at the highest level as catchment of these sites
well as the commitment of the village heads of all .
the villages that form the catchment area of the Responding, the participants commended the
Etim Umana and St. Luke’s Hospital gully erosion Akwa Ibom State government as well as the World
sites. Youth leaders, women leaders, and other Bank for bringing NEWMAP to intervene at the gully
community stakeholders were also invited to the erosion sites and promised to cooperate with the
meeting. Project during the project implementation.























Chairman of Uyo LGA Transition Committee, Traditional rulers of Uyo LGA during
Hon (Barr.) Mfon Ben the stakeholder engagement























Cross section of attendees during the Participants asking questions and
stakeholders’ enagement. making comments during interactive session

Page 18 NEWMAP Perspective



AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT CARRIES OUT

PALLIATIVE WORKS AT EROSION SITE
T he Government of Akwa ibom State has The gully has already destroyed the only existing

carried out remedial works at Udo Inwang
road and farmlands and is severely threatening
gully erosion site which is one of the sites on
the priority list of Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP. several households and commercial buildings.
Udo Inwang gully erosion site is located within The temporary measure carried out seeks to halt
Uyo metropolis. The gully is part of the central the encroachment of the gully into residential
ravine system in Uyo metropolis which also has areas and to protect properties in proximity to
the Etim Umana and St. Luke’s Hospital gully the gully edge.
erosion site.























Drone view of the site before intervention Close up view of the site before intervention





















Remedial works by Akwa Ibom State Government
Close up view of the site before intervention to protect the properties





















Remedial works by Akwa Ibom State Government Remedial works by Akwa Ibom State Government
to protect the properties to protect the properties

NEWMAP Perspective Page 19

Akwa Ibom State NEWMAP commissions study to generate

GIS -based Land Resources Inventory Data for Akwa Ibom State






















Dr. Ubong Harrison
State Project Coordinator, AKS NEWMAP
































Nigeria Collaborates with China and India under

the auspices of South-South Knowledge Exchange


N igeria has collaborated (I)gully restoration design, support the transfer of applied
The activities will also
with China and India construction, physical works and
under the South-South vegetative interventions
skills in key areas, for example on
Learning and Knowledge Sharing (ii) landscape restoration and research and development results
for watershed management, agricultural and pastoral the economics of gully restoration
infrastructure and agriculture. improvement in arid, rainfed and adopting innovative and
World Bank task teams secured areas; application of remote climate friendly practices,
financing from the China-World sensing, GIS, and decision support drawing from Chinese and Indian
Bank Group Trust Fund of systems (DSS) for more effective experiences. These activities will
US$433,000 over 2.5years to project management and primarily benefit the outcomes of
enhance South-South knowledge monitoring & evaluation; and Nigeria Erosion and Watershed
sharing between China, India, (III) urban and peri-urban road Management Project (NEWMAP),
and Nigeria. The Trust Fund is design and management of the new Neeranchal National
supporting important knowledge surface water run-off (the main Watershed Project in India, and
sharing between China, India, cause of gullies in Southern the FADAMA project in Nigeria.
and Nigeria, focusing on critical Nigeria).
activities including:

ABOUT NEWMAP




Nasarawa, Katsina, Akwa Ibom, Involvement, participatory
Bauchi, and Borno. a p p r o a c h w i t h s e v e r a l
stakeholders, and preventive
The Project Development measures.
Objective (PDO) of the NEWMAP
is to reduce vulnerability to soil
erosion in targeted sub- The Project involves many
catchments. NEWMAP seeks to Federal and State Ministries,
improve erosion management Departments and Agencies
and rehabilitate severe gully (MDAs), local governments,
erosion; increase incomes for communities, and civil society.
rural households from improved NEWMAP has the following four
Dr. Amos Abu
Task Team Leader, NEWMAP agricultural and forest practices components:
through the use of conservation
agriculture, agro-forestry, 1. Erosion and Watershed
natural regeneration, etc.; and Management Infrastructure
gain efficiency in public Investment: This component has
administration and public three sub-components: Gully
spending through improved Rapid Action and Slope
knowledge base, analytical S t a b i l i z a t i o n ; I n t e g r a t e d
t o o l s , m u l t i - s e c t o r i a l Catchment Management; and
coordination and stakeholder Adaptive Livelihoods.
dialogue.
2. Erosion and Watershed
NEWMAP investments include a Management Institutions and
strategic combination of civil Information Services: This
Mr. Salisu Dahiru
National Project Coordinator, engineering, vegetative land component has four sub-
NEWMAP management and other components: Federal MDA
c a t c h m e n t p r o t e c t i o n Effectiveness and Services; State
MDA Effectiveness and Services;
measures, and community-led
T he Nigeria Erosion and adaptive livelihood initiatives. Local Government Capacity;
Watershed Management
The sustainability of these and Private Sector Capacity.
Project (NEWMAP) is a multi-
sectorial project which is investments will be reinforced by 3. Climate Change Response
financed by the World Bank, strengthening institutions and and Agenda Support: This
Global Environment Facility information services across component has two sub-
(GEF), the Special Climate sectors and States, including components: Policy and
Change Fund (SCCF), and the support to improve governance,
G o v e r n m e n t o f N i g e r i a . r e g u l a t o r y c o m p l i a n c e , Institutional Framework and Low
NEWMAP finances state-led environmental monitoring, Carbon Development.
interventions to prevent and impact evaluation, catchment
reverse land degradation. and land use planning, and 4. Project Management: This
NEWMAP initially focused on to strengthen Nigeria's component covers project
m a n a g e m e n t a n d
gully erosion sites that threaten capacity to promote and c o o r d i n a t i o n , i n c l u d i n g
infrastructure and livelihoods in implement climate-resilient, low- p r o c u r e m e n t , f i n a n c i a l
seven States: Abia, Anambra, carbon development. management, social and
Cross River, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu environmental safeguards
and Imo but has subsequently NEWMAP adopts an approach management and oversight,
been expanded to include to managing land degradation s t r a t e g i c p r o j e c t
additional twelve States, these and gully erosion which communications and outreach
are: Delta, Gombe, Kano, Kogi, emphasizes Management of the and project Monitoring and
O y o , P l a t e a u , S o k o t o , entire Watershed, Community
Evaluation.

Published By: AKWA IBOM STATE NEWMAP
Office: Plot 7 G-Line, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
Email: [email protected] |Phone: 08127499224 |Twitter: @AKSNEWMAP