The Gombe State Government has signed a N2.9 billion contract with the Nigerian Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) for erosion control project at the Gombe State University erosion site.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, who represented the state government at the ceremony, said the government was committed to addressing the environmental challenges in the state.
He said the governor has approved the release of the N500 million counterparts funding for the project.
He thanked the World Bank and the NEWMAP for partnering with the state government, adding that the project would help a lot in easing the environmental threats of erosion in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Forest Resources, Dr Hussaina Danjuma Goje, said the project was to address the severe gully erosion in the short term while reducing vulnerability to soil erosion and climate vulnerability in the medium term.
The coordinator of NEWMAP in the state, Engineer Mohammed Garba commended the state government for her efforts in tackling the erosion menace in the state.
He stated that the project, which is to cost about N3 billion, was expected to be completed in seven months and would cover 4.4 kilometres.
