The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has restored over 1,500 degraded lands in Kogi State as part of its efforts to safeguarding the environment.
The state commissioner of Environment and Ecological Management, Hon. Engr. Oluwasegun disclosed this when the ACReSAL team comprising of the World Bank and Federal Government delegation paid an Implementation Support Mission to the state.
Read Also: ACReSAL to plant 10 Million trees across Kano in four years
He said so far, the project has restored over 1,500 degraded lands across the state, describing climate change as a global phenomenon demanding strong collaboration among all stakeholders.
“Climate change is a global issue, and ACReSAL is playing a critical role in mitigating its effects through tree planting and other climate resilience measures.
“So far, the project has restored over 1,500 hectares of degraded land. “There is no commissioner of environment and ecological management that have recorded the kind of achievement I have recorded in this short period of time. Courtesy of the World Bank and AcresalNigeria Project support”.
He noted that with the support of the World Bank through the ACReSAL Project and other initiatives, Kogi State will achieve more. “This collaborative spirit is crucial for the ACReSAL Project’s impact.”
In Ankpa Local Government Area, the mission team engaged with project beneficiaries, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) initiative, dry-season farming, and livelihood enhancements initiatives.
For Mrs. Mary Musa, “I’m forever grateful to ACReSAL for transforming our lives. The clean cookstove initiative has freed us from the burdens of smoke, making cooking easier and healthier. After years of struggling with ineffective solutions, ACReSAL’s support has been a game-changer. With God’s blessings and ACReSAL’s guidance, our community is thriving. We’re witnessing unprecedented progress, and I’m confident that with ACReSAL’s continued support, our community will become the best in Ankpa.”
Other beneficiaries thanked ACReSAL for introducing innovative climate-smart dry-season farming, which has improved their income, as well as the disbursement of Community Resolving Funds to enhance agricultural production and community livelihoods.
The mission is on a six-day Implementation Support Mission to the state. It aims to review and assess the entire project implementation, including Engineering, Environmental and Social Safeguards, Community Resolving Fund (CRF), Fiduciary matters, among others.
They commended Kogi State Project Coordinator, Barrister Ladi Jatto Ahmed, and his team for results and milestones achieved so far. They urged the team to monitor, report, and maximize project impact.
The World Bank team was led by Dr. Joy Iganya Agene (Task Team Leader) and Engr. Chinedu Umolu (Co-Task Team Leader), while Abdulhamid Umar (National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL) represented the Government of Nigeria.
 project has restored over 1,500 degraded lands in Kogi State as part of its){kind=link}