The Federal Government has sought the assistance of the World Bank for a $500 million loan to tackle gully erosion in seven states in the country.
Mr. Adekunle Oshikoya, the Director of Flood and Erosion Control, Federal Ministry of Environment, disclosed this on Friday in Abuja in an interview with some reporters.?
He listed the seven states as Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Edo and Cross River.
Oshikoya said that if the request for the loan sailed through, the Ministry of Environment would be given the opportunity to warehouse the funds.
He said the ministry had complied with all the processes required by the World Bank to access the loan.
According to the director, the processes include sensitisation and relevant studies that will aid the implementation of the project.
Oshikoya said the ministry in conjuction with the governments of the seven states, had made the necessary preparation to select gully erosion sites that would be remediated if the loan is granted.
He expressed optimism that the project would commence in February next year, adding that the ministry had planned ahead for the successful implementation of the project.