By Muhammad Amaan
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with 19 northern states, has endorsed the World Bank-funded $700m Agro-Climatic Resilience in the Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, aimed at addressing climate challenges and promoting sustainable land and water management.
The endorsement of the strategic catchment management plans marks a significant milestone in the six-year World Bank-funded initiative.
The project, validated on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ session in Abuja, focuses on the Hadejia Jama’are catchment area spanning Jigawa and Bauchi states.
The session also highlighted progress across the participating states, emphasising environmental restoration and community engagement.
National Project Coordinator for ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar, hailed the significant progress made in addressing catchment management challenges across 19 participating states in Nigeria.
Speaking at the validation event, Umar underscored the importance of the occasion, describing it as a hallmark in the delivery of the ACReSAL initiative.
“This event today is the hallmark of the delivery of the Arkansas Project. The need to address issues surrounding the definition and delineation of the catchment areas by the Federal Government of Nigeria is necessary,” he said.
He highlighted the extensive stakeholder engagement that culminated in the project, noting that it reflects the demands of rural communities.
“Stakeholders gathered for seven days in faraway Kano, where we listened attentively to the needs and demands of the catchment areas,” Umar explained.
“This effort is the largest with the highest magnitude of coverage and comprehensiveness,” he added.
During the event, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, in his endorsement speech expressed pride in the project’s progress.
“This is the first time the Government of Nigeria will be developing Strategic Catchment Management Plans of this magnitude. These plans represent a paradigm shift, focusing on our shared resources, heritage, and gains beyond state political boundaries,” he said.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, emphasised the scientific and community-driven foundation of the SCMP.
“This plan is rooted in science-based research and community feedback. It prioritizes watershed protection, water quality enhancement, and habitat restoration, creating a legacy for future generations.”
He urged stakeholders to champion the initiative. “Let us come together as advocates, champions for our environment, our economy, and our community’s future,” he said.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Aliyu Abdullahi noted the project’s significant impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector saying,
“ACReSAL has been pivotal in reclaiming thousands of hectares of degraded land and equipping farmers with climate-smart tools. It has catalysed transformative projects like the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Card Scheme.”
The minister added, “Thousands of farmers now employ practices such as agroforestry and drought-resistant crop cultivation, enhancing productivity despite climate challenges.”
Representing the Northern Governors’ Forum, the Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, praised the SCMP’s role in addressing critical environmental challenges.
“The Strategic Catchment Management Plan plays a crucial role in preventing and mitigating the effects of water scarcity, drought, and general land degradation. We are committed to ensuring its effective implementation across the participating states,” he said.
Highlighting the environmental potential of the northern region, he said, “Despite the challenges of desertification, the north is endowed with substantial water resources that can support all-year-round agricultural production through the application of this plan.”
He also commended ACReSAL’s impact saying, “The ACReSAL project has contributed to creating a healthy and eco-friendly environment for human habitation through practices like gully stabilization, bioremediation, and afforestation activities.”
Governor Yahaya further shared the Gombe State experience stating that, “With the support of ACReSAL, we have planted over four million trees in Gombe State over the past four years through our flagship program, Gombe Goes Green.”
While accepting the project on behalf of the northern states, Yahaya said, “On behalf of my colleagues, I want to give my validation and acceptance of this Strategic Catchment Management Plan.”
