BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja with Agency Report
Abdullahi
The federal government in collaboration with World Bank has unveiled Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, meant to address series of environmental crisis in Northern Nigeria.
Speqking at the Pre-launch Mission of the World Bank in Abuja on Sunday, Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi said that the project would last for five to six years.
Abdullahi assured Nigerians that the project would be effectively implemented, adding that all documentations on the project would get to the World Bank as soon as possible.
He said that with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Water Resources and with the World Bank's support, that the objective of the project must be achieved.
According to him, "The project is very important, as it will also address water stress system and restore the lost lands, thereby making the lands reproductive for agriculture".
He stated that the project would tackle environmental challenges such as climate change, erosion system, biodiversity and among others, just as he pledged to facilitate the speedy implementation of the project.
While thanking the World Bank for initiating the project, he promised to ensure that the political will to drive the project, in accordance with its mandate and objectives are achieved.
He added, "We will make sure that various governors at the State levels deliver on the objectives of the project."
To this end, the minister directed the national project coordinator to ensure that all the documentations needed to declare the effectiveness of the project, reached the world bank latest by April 15.
Abdullahi said that the ministry had also established a project tracker system in the office, adding that the system would facilitate the speedy completion of the project.
He pleaded with all the governors, commissioners and other relevant stakeholders, to support in the implementation of the project through strong cooperation and commitment.
On her part, Minister of State for Environment, Barr Sharon Ikeazor said that collective action in the implementation of the project would lead to positive result.
Ikeazor said if the project is effectively implemented, that about 70 per cent of environmental issues would be solved in the benefitting states.
“This project is a big one and it's a project that Nigeria is privileged to have. I want to thank the world bank team and the three ministries for their strong support and commitment to the implementation of the project,” she added.
The World Bank Country Director to Nigeria, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri assured that the bank would continue to support Nigeria to ensure that the objective of the project is achieved.
“The world bank team remains committed in this project, but I want to appeal to governments at all levels to ensure that the team and other people in the field are protected."
“The government should ensure that all kinds of insecurity is tackled in the areas to enable people concentrate and do the job effectively", he said.
Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, who spoke on behalf of other governors stated that the project would benefit everybody in the states.
He was excited that the project would curb poverty and address environmental challenges in the benefitting states, just as he vowed to support the world bank team and federal government in tackling insecurity in the benefitting states.
Also speaking, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mamood Abubakar explained that the project was initiated by the world bank when he was the minister of environment.
“I have great passion about this project because I know that it will change the lives of many people and the various communities in the states for good."
“This project will improve livelihoods of Nigerians; therefore it requires careful planning, good management and commitment from everyone", he added.
Minister of Water Resources, Dr Suleman Adamu encouraged all the states, local governments, and other beneficiaries to claim ownership of the project for its sustainability.
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