Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has urged the World Bank to ease procurement processes to address bottlenecks in project implementation.

Mr Aliyu made the call during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Sokoto State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL), on Wednesday in Sokoto.

He said that it was crucial to address bottlenecks in procurement to fast track timely delivery of development projects and effective resource utilisation.

According to him, simplifying the procedures will enhance transparency and accountability to ultimately benefit the participating states.

Mr Aliyu stressed the need for collaboration between the government and international institutions, to ensure smooth operations enabling swift execution of projects aimed at improving the lives of the citizens.

He, therefore, sought for the bank’s support in facilitating a more efficient procurement framework to accelerate socio-economic development across the ACReSAL project states.

”It’s a project with very richly developed objectives of combating climate change impact, enhancing livelihoods, increasing food security and creating jobs for our teeming youths.

”We have started to obtain benefits as about 800 men and women were trained on conflict resolution mechanism, business management for the Community Interest Group (CIGs),

”About 3,000 persons mobilised on other segments, establishment of a 40km shelter-belt in Wurno LGA that serves to build defense against wind-forming breaks for farmlands and homesteads in nine communities to avoid crop destruction by winds,” he said.

Mr Aliyu said that some 500 hectares of forest enrichment plantation is being designed to improve fertile Fadama land for farming activities in Wurno and surrounding areas.

He said that another 7,000 hectares for agro forestry with Moringa trees plantation had been developed to enhance food security in 23 benefiting communities.

The project, he said, would restore 19 million cubic meters of water in Lugu Dam as well as rehabilitation of 1,300 hectares of irrigable land in Wurno to benefit thousands of farmers.

The governor said the state government had contributed N1 billion counterpart fund, and assured continued collaboration to achieve the desired objectives.

Earlier, Lia Sieghart, the practice manager of the World Bank, described the project as a robust collaboration with line ministries to enhance livelihoods.

Mr Sieghart assured of the bank’s support on ease of doing business as well as mitigate impacts of climate change through viable interventions.

The ACReSAL’s national programme officer, AbdulHamid Umar, said the project aims to improve living standards, mitigate impacts of climate change and transform land opportunities.

According to Mr Umar, the World Bank is supporting the implementation of the programme in 19 participating states in Nigeria.

Representatives of the ACReSAL implementation states attended the event.

Highlights of the event included a field inspection tour of the project site in Wurno.

 (NAN)