By Zeniat Abubakar Abuja
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall NAGGW is seeking for the support and partnership of Kebbi State Government for the proposed UNEP-GEF Assisted Integrated Dryland Ecosystem Rehabilitation, Regeneration, and Conservation (IDERRCN) Project in the State.
The Project is aimed at curbing deforestation and other environmental challenges exacerbated by climate change in the North West.
The Agency made this known when the Director General, Mr Saleh Abubakar, with management staff of the Agency and representatives from Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), paid a courtesy visit to the Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris.
The visit was to mobilize support and partnership of the Kebbi State Government to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
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The IDERRCN project, is designed to restore approximately 2,500 hectares of degraded land, rehabilitate and conserve for biodiversity enhancement, an additional 3,000 hectares through improved and sustainable land use practices.
Speaking during the visit, the DG NAGGW, represented by Mr Ahmed Bagudo, Director, Afforestation and Land Management of the Agency, explained that the project, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), will be implemented across fifteen communities within five Local Government Areas in the State Arewa, Augie, Argungu, Bunza, and Dandi.
Mr Abubakar commended the collaboration between UNEP, GEF, and NAGGW for bringing the IDERRCN project to life, describing it as a timely response to the region’s pressing environmental needs.
He further noted that NAGGW has expanded its activities within its own catchment area, adding that Kebbi State stands to benefit from the implementation of the activities of IDERRCN Peoject.
He urged Kebbi State Government to complement the efforts of the Federal Government through a counterpart contribution.
“That the project will be community driven but would be closely monitored by officials from the State Government, the National Project Coordinator, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure transparency and impact.” he said.
In his response the Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris represented by the Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida, described the project as a bold and strategic move towards sustainable ecological restoration and rural development in the State.
He commended the Agency and development partners for selecting the five ecologically vulnerable Local Government Areas for intervention, stating that the government recognizes the project’s potentials to transform lives and landscapes across Kebbi State.
He further reaffirmed the State’s readiness to support the project and confirmed the government’s commitment to issuing a Project Commitment Letter as an endorsement of full collaboration.
Senator Tafida also announced that the State would allocate suitable land parcels in the identified LGAs for restoration and demonstration purposes.
The Project Coordinator Dr. Alenyi Onu, said that the program aims to benefit over one million people, including a target of 450,000 women.
The initiative is also expected to positively impact farmers, fishers, tree planters, and producers of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by enhancing their livelihoods and adding value to their products.