By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, has inaugurated a stakeholders’ engagement aimed at restoring one million hectares of degraded land in 10 States.
National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, said this on Friday in Lokoja, Kogi State at a stakeholders’ engagement for the development of eleven Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMPs).
Represented by Mr Shettima Adams, he said the 10 ACReSAL states are Kogi, Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, Plateau, Benue, Bauchi, Kano, Nasarawa, and FCT.
He stated t the project was designed to promote long-term transformation, restore dignity to drylands, rebalance ecosystems, and strengthen the resilience of millions of people across northern Nigeria.
Mr Umar added that the project would impact over 3.4 million direct beneficiaries.
According to him, the meeting is for the development of Sarkin-Powa-Kaduna, Okwa-Mada, Gurara-Gbako, Lokoja-Niger, and Aloma-Ebonyi catchments.
He said the engagement brought together strategic stakeholders from the 10 ACReSAL states, aimed to derive a shared vision for the purpose of the project.
“The engagement will also consider the opportunities and challenges in the catchments, which will form part of the catchment management plan.
“Catchment management plans are critical for sustainable development, as they provide a framework for managing natural resources, mitigating environmental challenges, and promoting social and economic development.
“The plans will be segregated into short, medium, and long-term plans, ensuring that the ACReSAL project achieves its objectives of restoring one million hectares of degraded land and impacting over 3.4 million direct beneficiaries,” Umar said.
He added that the project would also ensure that women and girl-child benefit from the project and are integrated fully into society.
“With the stakeholders’ engagement, Nigeria is one step closer to achieving sustainable development and environmental sustainability,” he said.
The national project coordinator urged stakeholders to make meaningful contributions to the document and ensure that their concerns are integrated into the plan.
He also expressed gratitude to the World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria for their support and guidance in implementing the ACReSAL project.
