The Nigerian government in collaboration with World Bank has launched Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, to address environmental challenges in Northern states of the country.
Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, at the Pre- launch Mission of the World Bank project, in Abuja, the nation’s capital said the project with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Water Resources and with the support of the World Bank, would last for five to six years.
Today, We @FMEnvng alongside my colleague @sharon_ikeazor , @DrMuhdMahmood – HM @FmardNg & HM @FMWRNigeria were joined by the @WorldBank Team via the #TTL – @iganya , @LalongBako , @GovNasarawa @ed_onoja at the #ACReSAL Pre-Launch Mission at @SheratonAbuja . pic.twitter.com/hS56katsBg
— Mohammed H. Abdullahi (@MohdHAbdullahi) April 9, 2022
It was a pleasure for me today, to as #Chair of the @WorldBank #AgroClimaticResilienceInSemiAridLandscapes Project ( #ACReSAL ), assure our partners of the political will of @NigeriaGov via @FMEnvng , @FmardNg & @FMWRNigeria to drive the program to support the 19 Northern States pic.twitter.com/Us3XDbWAVL
— Mohammed H. Abdullahi (@MohdHAbdullahi) April 9, 2022
Abdullahi assured that the project would be implement effectively, adding that all documentations on the project must get to the World Bank as soon as possible.
According to him, the project is very important, as it will also address water stress system and restore the loss lands, thereby, making the lands to be reproductive for agriculture.
Mr. Abdullahi noted that the project will also tackle environmental challenges such as climate change, erosion system, biodiversity, among others.
“We thank the world bank for initiating this project and I am assuring you that from the ministry of environment, we will do all the best we can to implement the project. We will ensure that the political way to drive this project in accordance with the mandates and it’s objectives are achieved.
“We are going to make sure that various governors at the state levels ensure they deliver on the objectives of the project.
“I have instructed national project coordinator to ensure that all the documentations that are needed by the world bank to declare the effectiveness of the project reach the world bank latest by April, 15.“
Mr. Abdullahi further said that the ministry had also established project tracker system in the office, adding that the system would enhance in the achievement of the project.
He urged all the Governors, Commissioners other relevant stakeholders to support in the implementation of the project through strong cooperation and commitment.
The Minister of State for Environment, Sharon Ikeazor said that collective action in the implementation of the project, would bring positive result.
Joined my colleague Ministers of @FMEnvng @FmardNg @FMWRNigeria Gov Nassarawa &Plateau Dep Gov Kano &Kogi @WBG_Nigeria at the pre launch of a new project to build climate resilient landscape in Nigeria #ACReSAL pic.twitter.com/ll6e4c0Hk1
— Sharon Ikeazor (@sharon_ikeazor) April 10, 2022
Ikeazor said if the project implemented effectively, about 70 per cent of environmental issues would be solved in the states.
“We are ready to implement the project, with the two ministers that we are working together with, I think it will enhance in the execution of the project.
“This project is a big one and it is a project that Nigeria is privileged to have, I want to thank the world bank team and the three ministries for their strong support and commitment on implementation of the project,” Ikeazor stated.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mahmood Abubakar, said the project which was initiated by the World Bank when he was still the Minister of Environment, was to improve the lively hood of all the people in the Semi-Arid areas.
“I have great passion about this project, because I know that it will change lives of many people and the various communities in the states for good. This project will improve livelihood of the people, thereby, it requires careful planning, good management and commitment from everyone.”
Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, urged all the states, local governments and other beneficiaries of the project to claim ownership of the project for its sustainability.
“The State governors and the people of all the states should ensure that the effort of the World Bank and the Federal Government will not be a waste, there is a need to secure the project and ensure that its benefit is actualised,“ the Minister stated.
World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri said the World Bank would continue to support Nigeria to ensure that the objective of the project was achieved.
“The World Bank team remained committed to this project, but I want to appeal to all tiers of government at all levels to ensure that the team and other people in the field are protected.”
Mr. Shubham however urged the Nigerian government to ensure that the challenges of insecurity are tackled in the areas to enable people concentrate and do the job effectively.
Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Suleiman, who spoke on behalf of other governors, commended the World Bank that the project would benefit all the people in the states.
“We are happy and grateful to have this laudable project, the project will curb poverty and address environmental challenges in our state.
“We as governors will ensure that we support the World Bank team and the Federal Government in ensuring that the insecurity issue is tackle efficiently in the states,” he added.
The Practical Manager, Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy West and Central Africa, for World Bank Mr. Sanjay Srivastava, noted that the project is to address three critical development challenge for Nigeria.
“As you all know Nigeria is going to be facing tremendous challenge because of climate change, particularly the issue of desertification, as you all know the desert is expanding from the Northern side is coming into your state which means that lot of productive land, lot of soil erosion will take place, lot of productive land would be converted into unproductive land, so this project is trying to address the issue of desertification and stop desertification,” Mr Sanjay explained.
He added that the project would be mainly focus on the poor farmers and poor people, Agriculture and landscape, and the World Bank would provide seven hundred million dollars concessional loan to finance the project.
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes, ACReSAL Project, will increase the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in northern Nigeria and strengthen the country’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.
