By Victoria Okpanachi
In a bid to restore land and ensure effective waste management, the Kogi State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), has commissioned land restoration and waste management equipment.
This is aimed at tackling environmental degradation and strengthening sustainable agriculture across the state.
The commissioning ceremony, which was held recently in Lokoja, marked a significant step towards addressing land degradation, improving environmental sustainability, and enhancing climate resilience in the state.
Related News
Commissioning the project the state Governor, Ahaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the commissioner for environment and ecological management, Engrineer Joseph Oluwasegun, described the initiative as a landmark intervention.
He said the exercise reflects the administration’s strong commitment to environmental sustainability and agricultural transformation in the state.
Speaking at the event, the project coordinator, Barrister Ladi Jatto, said the efforts, demonstrate Government’s commitment to tackling land degradation, poor waste disposal and other environmental challenges affecting communities across the state.
She explained that the equipment would strengthen land restoration efforts, improve waste management practices and advance the broader objective of sustainable development.
According to her, the Kogi ACReSAL projects amongst others has strengthened irrigation farming, with 695 farmers benefiting from the drilling of 60 tube-wells and the installation of 60 solar-powered pumps, covering over 2,091 hectares of farmland.
Others are the afforestation and agro-forestry interventions, where 5,339 farmers across the three senatorial districts have received support ranging from land preparation and tractor services to the supply of improved seeds and seedlings, including cassava, maize, beans, palm and cashew, while noting that these efforts have helped restore approximately 5,650 hectares of degraded land.
The newly commissioned equipment includes a swamp buggy, 23 tractors, one low-bed truck, 20 tipping tricycles, 30 galvanised waste bins, 400 plastic waste bins, as well as rakes and shovels to support community-based waste management efforts.
The equipment is expected to boost environmental management efforts, particularly in areas vulnerable to erosion, flooding and indiscriminate waste disposal.
Also present at the event were the commissioner for agriculture and food security, Hon. Timothy Ojomah, the commissioner for water resources, Hon. Yahaya Farouk, Chairman Lokoja Local Government, Hon. Abdullahi Adamu, and other dignitaries, who commended Kogi ACReSAL and the state Government in their efforts to boost agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of communities across the state.
