Borno State has emerged among the 23 participating states to fully meet the operational requirements for accessing funds under the Nigeria Climate Adaptation–Erosion and Watershed Project (NEWMAP-EIB).
The Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), led by National Project Coordinator Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks, confirmed the state’s readiness during a courtesy visit to Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mallam Bukar Tijjani, in Maiduguri on Monday.
To qualify for the intervention, states are required to provide counterpart funding, establish project offices, recruit staff, acquire operational vehicles, prepare Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs), comply with European Investment Bank (EIB) procurement standards, and verify erosion sites. Borno has fulfilled all these prerequisites, including the release of ₦500 million as counterpart funding.
Engr. Yalaks noted that the project would deliver transformative benefits, including erosion control, bridge construction to reconnect cut-off communities, implementation of sub-catchment management plans to conserve water resources for agriculture, provision of access roads to economic hubs such as the cattle market in old Maiduguri and the shoe factory in Fariya village, as well as community empowerment to strengthen agricultural value chains.
“These interventions will create jobs, boost revenue generation, and promote climate-smart agriculture in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” Yalaks said.
Responding, SSG Tijjani reaffirmed Borno State’s full commitment to supporting NEWMAP-EIB initiatives, stressing that transparency, accountability, and judicious use of funds would guide project implementation. He described the intervention as aligning with Governor Zulum’s vision of improving livelihoods across the state.
He also expressed gratitude to the European Union and its partners for their continued support during Borno’s most challenging times.
The meeting was attended by the State Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Mohammed Habib; Permanent Secretary, Comrade Juliana Bitrus; members of the FPMU team; and officials of the State Project Management Unit (SPMU).
