The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has launched the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, to address environmental challenges in Nigeria’s North.

Mohammed Abdullahi, Minister of Environment, at the Pre-launch Mission of the World Bank on Sunday in Abuja, said that the project would last for five to six years.

Mr 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.

“The project will as well tackle environmental challenges such as climate change, erosion system, biodiversity, among others.

“We thank the world bank for initiating this project, and I am assuring you that from the Ministry of Environment, we will do all the best we can to implement the project,” Mr Abdullahi said.

He said that with the collaboration of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Water Resources and also the World Bank support, the objective of the project must be achieved.

“We will ensure that the political will to drive this project, in accordance with the mandates and its objectives, are achieved.

“We are going to make sure that various governors at the state levels deliver on the objectives of the project.

According to him, the project is very important, as it will also address the water stress system and restore the lost lands, thereby, making the lands reproductive for agriculture.

The minister said that the ministry had also established a project tracker system in the office, adding that the system would enhance the achievement of the project

Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment, said that collective action in the implementation of the project would bring positive results.

Mrs Ikeazor said if the project was implemented effectively, about 70 per cent of environmental issues would be solved in the states.

“We are ready to implement the project, with the two ministers we are working with, I think it will enhance execution of the project.

“This project is a big one and it is 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 said.

The World Bank Country Director to Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, said that the bank would continue to support Nigeria to ensure that the objective of the project was achieved.

“The world bank team remains committed to 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 to concentrate and do the job effectively.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, who spoke on behalf of other governors said that the project would benefit all the people in the states.

“We are happy and grateful to have this laudable project that will curb poverty and address environmental challenges in our states.”

Also speaking, Dr Mamood Abubakar, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, explained that “This project will improve the livelihoods of the people; therefore it requires careful planning, good management and commitment from everyone.”

Dr Suleman Adamu, Minister of Water Resources, urged all the states, local governments, and other beneficiaries of the project to claim ownership of the project for sustainability.

“The state governors and the people of all the states should ensure that the efforts of the world bank and the Federal Government will not be a waste.

“There is a need to secure the project and ensure that its benefits are realised,” Mr Adamu said. 

(NAN)