N4bn spent on Cross River erosion sites

Mr Fidelis Anukwa, the State Project Coordinator of Cross River State-Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (CRS-NEWMAP), a World Bank assisted project, made the disclosure in Calabar.
According to Anukwa, five gully erosion sites in the state were receiving attention as a result of the World Bank intervention.
They are the Edim Otop, Atakpa, Ikot Ekpo, Nyagasang, and Ikot Anwatim sites.
He said that the money has taken the work to an  ‘appreciable stage’, adding that it would save the affected communities from total collapse.
He maintained that their objective was to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub catchments in order to achieve environmental and economic security.
The project coordinator further disclosed that they effected payment to owners of properties such as houses affected by the gully erosion.
 “We have paid compensation to persons whose houses were affected by the erosion through the state counterpart funding.  We have also carried out an awareness programme to sensitise the people on the dangers of building along the water channels,’’ he said.