The World Bank recently approved funding to address erosion related challenges in Nigeria’s Edo State.

As part of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), an 8-year multi-sectoral programme that aims to restore degraded lands and reduce longer-term erosion vulnerability, Aurecon was appointed for engineering, design and supervision services.

Erosion threatens the communities and agriculture in Edo State, which is an inland state in southern Nigeria and forms part of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Besides oil, agriculture is important to the Edo State region especially concerning major crops, including rubber, cocoa and palm tree derivatives.

In line with this, the Edo State Government has undertaken this 13-site, 36-month project in an effort to improve soil erosion, as well as to manage public resources and improve the institutional and policy environment of the State.

The project is progressing well, with construction work already in progress at Queen Ede and Ekehuan Road in Benin City region and Oshiobugie Gully in Auchi region.

A further ten sites are in the design phase, with the top four priorities estimated to be ready for tender stage by June/July 2015.

“Aurecon is proud to acknowledge that our successful delivery on previous projects has paid off, which has now allowed us to continue a successful relationship with the Edo State Government. An added bonus is that we can apply lessons learnt and the expertise gained on various other projects in the region,” comments Jose Miranda Regional Manager, West Africa.