The World Bank says it has disbursed N5 billion to 140 communities across 17 local government areas (LGAs) of Plateau to help them tackle climate change.

The country director of the World Bank in Nigeria, Ndiame Diop, said this on Thursday in Jos during the formal disbursement of the funds to the benefiting communities.

Mr Diop, however, said the project’s pilot scheme would commence with 10 communities.

He said the fund was disbursed through the bank’s Agro Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project. He said the initiative is part of the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) under the ACReSAL project.

“As you know, desertification and climate change are already threatening agriculture, which is a key source of livelihood for the people of Plateau.

“This investment is part of ACReSAL complements, a range of investments around land and water management within the comprehensive framework around a 10-year watershed management plan.

“Now, unlike grants, the CRF will operate as a loan programme designed to support community groups in implementing community climate-resilient initiatives.

“This financial support is specifically targeted toward ACReSAL-registered community interest groups across the state in targeted watersheds,” he said.

Mr Diop, who hinted that the bank had supplied 20 tractors and other farming inputs to the state as part of the project, said the initiative aimed to tackle poverty and promote food security.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang thanked the World Bank for choosing the state to implement the project, particularly in tackling climate change and promoting dry-season farming.

Mr Mutfwang said the project “no doubt, would empower local communities in the state to implement innovative and crucial strategies toward addressing climate change and ensuring food security in the state”.

He warned the beneficiaries to put the funds to good use, adding that anyone caught violating the rules of engagement would be sanctioned.

“We will make sure that we audit every project and ensure that we are on the road to success.

“The first rule is that this is money you will pay back, so take that into your mind, and I will charge the men in these groups not to marry additional wives.

“I don’t know how these communities were selected because I didn’t interfere. We allowed the project coordinator and his team to select these communities based on the established criteria.

“But I want you to know that we will be monitoring your progress very closely,” the governor said.

(NAN)