Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi, on Monday, presented cheques worth N3 billion to 2,381 direct beneficiaries of community revolving fund of the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in the state.

The distribution of the ACReSAL community revolving funds is the second phase, with the first phase carried out in June in partnership with the World Bank Group.

The beneficiaries from 80 communities of the 21 local government areas of the state were classified in over 170 groups.

Presenting the cheques to the various groups at the Lugard House, Lokoja, Mr Ododo said the community revolving fund was in line with his administration’s commitment to ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

Mr Ododo assured that his administration would continue to provide the enabling environment for the success and sustenance of the ACReSAL project in the state.

“This gesture is in furtherance of the development agenda of this administration to increase the adoption of sustainable landscape management.

“It’s also to strengthen the long-term framework for integrated climate resilience, landscape management and effective agricultural practices across communities in our councils. ”

He urged the benefiting groups and communities to utilise the funds with diligence and to demonstrate ability to ensure that other members of the community continued to benefit from the project.

The governor, however, commended President Bola Tinubu, for prioritising sustainable agriculture practice and for his unwavering commitment to enhancing welfare of families in all parts of Nigeria.

Also speaking, the commissioner for environment and ecological management, Joseph Oluwasegun, said the community revolving fund sought to place Kogi on the map of states where food security and sufficiency are guaranteed in Nigeria.

Earlier in her address, the state coordinator of AcreSal, Ladi Ahmed-Jatto, said the community revolving fund is an interest-free investment fund which began in June, with over 2,381 direct beneficiaries.

Mrs Ahmed-Jatto explained that the second phase of the disbursement is a justification of the effective utilisation of the first phase and the overall performance of the state government as considered by the World Bank Task Team.

She stated that the fund remained a loan from the World Bank under guaranteed repayment by the state government.

She urged the beneficiaries to make best use of the funds for the growth and development of the state.

(NAN)