Applying the Parameters of Impacted Population and Gully Social Impact Factor to Prioritize Choice of Gully Erosion Intervention Programs in Resource Limited Settings: Lessons from World Bank Funded Intervention in Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Following a presidential request for assistance in the gully erosion menacing many States in Nigeria, the World Bank intervened through the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Program (NEWMAP) in 23 States including Anambra, from 2014 - 2022. This study examined NEWMAP’s intervention in order to learn crucial lessons to improve subsequent gully remediation interventions in Anambra State.

Methods: A 7-man multidisciplinary focus group was constituted to study NEWMAP’s intervention in Anambra State, determine the most striking innovation in the intervention, and explore that innovation further. Data extraction, content analysis comparative analysis, rational decision framework and the deductive model were applied to make findings and draw conclusion.

Results: The study found that: (i) the most striking innovation in NEWMAP’s intervention in Anambra State is the introduction of elaborate and comprehensive package of rehabilitation of impacted population. (ii). 13 major gully erosion sites were remedied totaling 32 544.87 meters long and directly impacting a population of 163 209 persons (iii). As at June 2021, 150 000 impacted population had benefitted from micro-credit grants to engage in alternative livelihood businesses that contributed in revamping the State’s economy. (iv). The 13 gully sites remedied had a wide range of gully social impact factor, the highest three values being 101 440; 67 587.5 and 41 778; while the lowest three values are 1 204; 1 694.7 and 3 186.

Conclusion: The study concludes that elaborate and comprehensive package of rehabilitation of gully impacted population is an innovation in Anambra State introduced by NEWMAP; that gully impacted population is a good measure of vulnerability; and that the parameters of impacted population and gully social impact factor are sensitive, reliable and effective parameters to prioritize choice of gully intervention programs in resource-limited settings.