Sokoto releases N1b counterparts funding for agro climatic resilience project

In a renewed effort to combat desertification and the vagaries of climate change in northern Nigeria, the Sokoto State government has released N1 billion counterpart funding towards the Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.

The Federal Government is coordinating the World Bank-assisted multi-institutional and multi-sectoral land reclamation and rejuvenation scheme covering the environment, agriculture, and water resources. Through the World Bank financed ACReSAL, the government intends to help restore one million hectares of degraded land in the northern part of the country.

This will contribute to the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring four million hectares of degraded land set for broader landscapes restoration by 2030. The ACReSAL project will also help reduce the vulnerability of millions of the extremely poor people in northern Nigeria, strengthening their capacities and having them play roles in achieving environmental sustainability.

Sokoto State governor, Dr Ahmad Aliyu, disclosed this at the state capital, when playing host to a team of World Bank agroclimatic officials, which visited the state to appraise the ACReSAL land rejuvenation, afforestation and agro cultivation project.

The team, which came under the aegis of ACReSAL was led by the Practice Manager of the World Bank for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy in West Africa, Ms Lia Sieghart.

Sokoto governor commended the Federal Government multi-institutional, multi-sectoral ACReSAL initiative, which will check desertification and restore degraded land and special eco-system, as well as agriculture.

Aliyu said the government’s role is critical to promote multi-sectoral coordination and cooperation for building climate, resilience and better management of land, and natural resources. He added that the Sokoto State government is committed to offering support to ACReSAL project in checking environmental degradation, empowerment of the people and the state to develop positively.

Among the World Bank team is the Task Team Leader ACReSAL Project / Senior Environmental Specialist, Word Bank, Dr Joy Iganya Agene, National Project Coordinator, ACReSAL, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, Team Lead, ACReSAL, Sokoto, officials of the Federal Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources.

Sieghart expressed delight over the intended taking ownership of the programme to fruition by His excellency. A major highlight of the meeting was a visit to the AcreSal land reclamation and rejuvenation project site at Wurno.