The Katsina State Government has spent over N6 billion from 2015 to date in addressing environmental challenges across the state.
Gov Aminu Masari made this known on Thursday in Katsina during the launch of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP).
He said that the government received over 3,000 requests from various communities for the control of flood, erosion and other related issues that had to do with environmental degradation.
“Using the limited available resources and amidst competing demands, we have expended over N6 billion in addressing environmental challenges across the state.
“These are evident in 118 flood and erosion control projects which are the benefiting sites in 150 communities across the nooks and crannies of the state,’’ the governor said.
Masari said that the state government had already paid N500 million as counterpart fund for the project.
The governor listed projects to be executed under the NEWMAP to include: storm water management sites located at Funtua, Malunfashi and Katsina.
Others are 20 earth dams with irrigation components for socio-economic and livelihood enhancement and establishment of 50 hectares of woodlots at two different sites.
“We will like the World Bank to note that our administration attached great importance to tackling erosion and flooding issues.
“That was what people requested us to do for them during our political campaigns and which we have promised them,’’ he said.
Masari said the state had passed a law which stipulates that the local government councils will contribute less than two per cent of their monthly allocation from the Federation Account into a dedicated account.
The account is under the state Ministry of Environment for tackling ecological problems and challenges.
In his remarks, the World Bank Task Team Leader, Dr Amos Abu, said that the project would commit $5 million (N1.53 billion) in the state.
He said that the project is being implemented in 20 states of the federation.
Abu said that NEWMAP implementation in Katsina State was without political interference.
Also speaking, the Speaker, State House of Assembly, Alhaji Tasiu Maigari, said that the house would continue to prioritise and make adequate appropriation in line with Ecological Fund Law.====NAN
