Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Kogi state project office, has called on communities to protect legacy projects in their respective domains.
Speaking at a 2-day training on project sustainability measures held at Hill Top Hotel, Okene, the state project coordinator, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, commended Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello for his unfettered support for NEWMAP in the state.
She encouraged members of the state steering and technical committees to translate the same energy and support for NEWMAP to the new project, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
She stressed that the new project would only succeed if all stakeholders presented a united front in the implementation.
The lead consultant, Prof. Ekwe Agwu Ekwe, reeled out the NEWMAP result framework as the basis for project sustainability.
The participants were trained on maintenance culture and best practices for the prevention of gully erosion in the future.
While delivering his goodwill message, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye, reminded members from communities of intervention and the humongous investments made by the state government, through Kogi NEWMAP.
He charged the communities on the need to jealously guard the legacy projects in a sustainable manner.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Environment, Barr. A.O Suleiman (mni), who is also the Chairman, Kogi State NEWMAP State Technical Committee, admonished all the participants and beneficiaries on the importance of safeguarding the projects, as generations to come would be positively impacted by the legacy projects.
Members of the state steering and technical committees, line MDAs, as well as members of communities were trained on project collaboration and sustainability.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to participants, as well as working tools, branded laptops, to staff of line MDAs.
