By Dele Ogbodo
The National Project Coordinator of the European Investment Bank assisted Nigeria Climate Adaptation-Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB), Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks, has commended the Oyo State Government for its efforts in CO2 emissions reduction which is in line with Nigeria climate change mitigation strategies.
The Project Coordinator acknowledged that this is in line with the countries NDCs determined contribution efforts towards emission reduction.
Engr. Anda made this commendation when he led the Federal Project Management Unit during the week on a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abduraheem Adebayo Lawal, in his office in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Engr. Anda, informed the governor that Oyo State has met 100 percent of all the conditions precedence towards disbursement effectiveness to attract funding from the European Investment bank.
He thanked the governor for the N500 million counterpart fund contribution which has long been approved and released to the project account and further appealed to the governor to increase the state counterpart fund contribution to enable effective project operations and running cost.
Also, he requested that government should consider to provide additional project operational vehicles for smooth project operations.
The Governor, thanked the NEWMAP-EIB team for the visit and reassured the team that government will work towards increasing the counterpart fund and the provision of vehicles to the project.
He stated that the state under the Makinde administration is committed to improving the lives of its citizens and to fulfilling its campaign promises to the people.
He pledged the states continued support to the project.
The Communication Specialist, Madina Gertrude, in a statement made available to the media, quoted the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Hon. Mojeeb Mogbonjubola, also as expressing appreciation to the Governor for supporting the project with the release of counterpart fund.
The statement added that the team on arrival had visited sites in LAUTECH Ogbomosho, Ibarapa East LGA in Eruwa, Fedomu and Ayetoro in Olorunsogo LGA in Igbeti, and Ibadan metropolis along the Maje river.
The Oba of Igbeti Land, Oba Bashir Olalekan AbioyeSiyanbola IV, while welcoming the team to his palace said his people were ready and willing to cooperate with the government for the betterment of their lives. He assured the NEWMAP-EIB team that Igbeti land is a secured community and they will provide maximum support and security when work commences and assured the team of total ownership at project completion.
The Pro- Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council LAUTECH, Prof. Ayodeji Oludare Omole, expressed the university community’s appreciation to the team for the visit saying: “Your presence signifies a crucial step towards collaborative efforts in addressing and solving our environmental concerns”.
In his remark, the Chairman of Olorunsogo LGA, Hon. Olayanju Kazeem who received the NEWMAP-EIB team during a working visit earlier said he was thankful to the governor for listening to the concerns of Igbeti community and promised to work with government and NEWMAP-EIB for the success of the project.
Also the Chairman of Ibarapa East LGA, Hon. Kazeem Arogundade, thanked the state government for remembering the people of his community and promised utmost cooperation when work commences in the community.
The State Project Coordinator, Bar. Ayoade Adetayo, according to the statement thanked the governor for providing counterpart fund and for exhibiting high political will, describing it as exemplary leadership that has led the state to be listed as one of the 23 beneficiary states.
The meeting had in attendance, the Commissioner for Environment other senior government officials, Permanent Secretary of the ministry for environment, FPMU Specialists and Staff of the SPMU.
