EFFECTIVENESS OF NIGERIA EROSION AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT IN CONTROLLING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN ABIA STATE EFFECTIVENESS OF NIGERIA EROSION AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROJECT IN CONTROLLING ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN ABIA STATE

Abstract

This study determined the perceptions of the host communities toward tourism development at

The study assessed the effectiveness of the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) in controlling environmental degradation in Abia State, Nigeria. The study specifically identified the structures employed by NEWMAP to control environmental degradation, determined how these interventions influenced the livelihood of the beneficiaries, determined the level of effectiveness of NEWMAP in controlling environmental degradation, and ascertained perceived constraints faced by NEWMAP in environmental management in the area. A total of 90 respondents were selected for this study using a multistage sampling procedure. Primary data were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and analyzed with appropriate descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages and mean (x̄). The study identified bioremediation (96.7%), gabion boxes (74.4%), rock retaining walls, and gutters (61.1%) as some of the structures used by NEWMAP to checkmate environmental degradation in the study area. Results showed that the livelihood of the respondents was improved in areas such as increased arable land (x̄ =3.72), better living environment (x̄ =3.62), and increased income (x̄ =3.52). The study further revealed that NEWMAP was effective in using state-of-the-art designs of engineering and flexible structures to control gully erosion (x̄ =3.74) and to put adequate safeguard measures to strengthen disaster risk management (x̄ =3.77) among others. It was concluded that the implementation of NEWMAP’s environmental management strategies was effective and had a positive influence on the livelihood of the respondents. The study, therefore, recommended that NEWMAP should continue with their stated objectives and also intervene in other parts of Abia State currently faced with gully erosion.