By Abubakar Abraham
The Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, has commenced a crucial stakeholders’ engagement at Edgedrive Hotel, Lokoja.
The engagement is to develop Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMPs), for 11 catchments, including Sarkin-Powa-Kaduna, Okwa-Mada, Lokoja-Niger, Aloma-Ebonyi, and Gurara-Gbako.
The programme which is expected to last till August 23rd, has an array of diverse stakeholders, including State Project Coordinators, Federal and State ministry representatives, professors, private sector experts, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and royal fathers from 10 northern states.
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Declaring the Stakeholders’ engagement open, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Joseph Oluwasegun, emphasised the role of the Project in promoting sustainable environmental stewardship and climate resilience.
He urged all the stakeholders to join hands to ensure that the objectives of the project are met.
Earlier in her welcome address, Kogi Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Barrister Ladi Jatoo, who acknowledged the support given by the state government. appreciated the input of top government functionaries and appealed for more synergy.
In his opening remark, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Alhaji Abdulhamid Umar, who was represented by Engineer Shetima Adams, underscored the SCMPs’ importance in addressing environmental challenges and fostering sustainable land and water management.
He highlighted ACReSAL’s achievements, including reclaiming 11,064 hectares of degraded land, restoring 1,549 hectares through water harvesting, and boosting agricultural productivity via dry-season farming and agroforestry, adding that the Project aims to restore 1 million hectares and benefit 3.4 million people, with nearly half being women.
According to him, the SCMPs’ objectives include strengthening data, raising awareness, fostering cooperative management, and enhancing institutional capacity.
The NPC emphasised that the stakeholders’ engagement is as key to tailoring solutions to community and environmental needs and commended the World Bank and Federal Government for their support, as well as the Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) staff.
While royal fathers were recognised for their role in promoting sustainability, goodwill messages from participants, stressed the need for environmental education and collaboration with traditional leaders.
This landmark engagement, supported by the World Bank’s International Development Association, aims to foster inclusivity, knowledge sharing, and sustainable solutions for Nigeria’s ecosystems, ensuring resilient landscapes for future generations.
Present at the stakeholders’ engagement were the Commissioners for Agriculture, Hon. Timithy Ojomah and Water Resources, Hon. Farouk Yahaya, HRH Mohammed Shaba, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim and a host of royal fathers.
