Obaseki to launch new agency, Edo FEWMA to sustain gains of NEWMAP

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is set to officially launch the State’s Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency (Edo FEWMA) to sustain the gains recorded by his administration through the Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (Edo NEWMAP) in terms of reducing vulnerability to flood and erosion via prevention and rehabilitation.

The World Bank-assisted NEWMAP project came to a close in mid-2022 after a seven-year impactful period, with the governor setting up the Edo FEWMA the state’s principal agency for climate change mitigation, flood and erosion control, catchment and watershed management, and other environmental challenges.

Addressing journalists in Benin City, the Project Coordinator, Edo NEWMAP, Dr. Tom Obaseki, said the setup of the Edo FEWMA is in line with the government’s vision of ensuring environmental sustainability and improving the living standards of the people.

He noted, “Following the winding up of the Edo NEWMAP project, which successfully addressed the severe flood and gully erosion that had ravaged various Edo communities for several years in line with the vision of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration, the government set up the Edo State’s Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency (Edo FEWMA).

“This is in continuation of efforts geared towards implementing infrastructural renewal and sustainable development initiatives in Edo, ensuring the development and execution a comprehensive catchment management plan to manage and regulate floods, stormwater, erosion, and watersheds state-wide while eliminating loss of lives and minimizing infrastructural damage.”

Dr. Obaseki further stated, “It is on record that the Edo NEWMAP constructed over 40km of secondary drains across the state to check flooding. The new agency will ensure the management and sustainability of all NEWMAP projects that dot the state, including the Auchi-Oshiobugie, Queen Ede, Igbei, Urora, Ogiso-Osunde,Ekehuan, Fugar-Agenebode, Emu-Ohordua, Gapiona, Iguosa, Ewu, Ibore and the Ugboha project sites, among others.

“The Edo FEWMA is set to be officially launched by the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to sustain the government’s efforts at ensuring environmental sustainability and improving the living standards of the people.”