Nasarawa State Government Invest N500 Million on ACReSAL Project, As Chun Mada Donates 11 Hecters Of Land For Afforestation

by Michael Umudjon

Nasarawa State Government has invested five hundred million naira for Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in the state.

Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr Kwanta Yakuba made this known, Tuesday at the Chun Mada’s Palace while Inaugurating the Technical Implementation committee for Akwanga LGA and Loko Development Area of Nasarawa LGA.

The ACReSAL project which covers Water Management, Erosion, Afforestation , dry season farming , Climate smart Agriculture and solar power street light and water.

The project which commenced in June 2022 would end in March 2028.

Dr Kwanta said the project has commenced in Akwanga LGA and Loko Development Area of Nasarawa LGA and in time it will spread to other parts of the state, thereby charging the implementation committee to live above board.

“So far we have implemented Solar power street lights and solar power boreholes in the Eleven Electoral wards in Akwanga LGA and Township Area in Loko Development Area, this occasion is as important as it is in the survival of the project in your community, I trust that you have been carefully selected to play pivotal roles in the project implementation in your various areas, the government would continue to look up to you for your effective roles in ensuring that the project is implemented in an atmosphere of peace for speedy implementation , value addition and community ownership.” he said

Nasarawa State Project Coordinator Mr Napoleon Gyobe on his part says ACReSAL which is a world bank Project centers on Agriculture, Environment and Water , captures 19 front line states and FCT, is a seven hundred million dollars project and so far two million dollars has been released to the state with governor Abduhalli Sule approving five Hundred million Naira as the state’s own contribution to the project.

However Akwanga and Loko Development Area have benefited in terms of Borholes and street solar Lights.

“So the project is for the 19 Frontline states, that includes FCT which makes it 20, is a 700 million dollars project and this project has to do with climate change challenge as I just mentioned earlier his Excellency Engr. Abdullah Sule the governor of Nasarawa state has made his own commitment and showing an expression of interest by giving his own counterpart fund of about 500 million Naira which the world bank has also given us the first tranche of two million dollars, January this year and we have started project in different areas of the state and we’re starting with Akwanga local government we are doing what we call the community impact projects, there is no how you want to come into people’s community to do some activities you have to know have some kind of advocacy show them the need why they could support the project.”

Mr Gyobe furthered added that the body has identify a catchment area for irrigation and the committee would aid in grievances and monitoring.

The State ACRESAL Project Coordinator used the occasion to appreciate Pastor Samson Gamuyare the Chun Mada for providing eleven (11) hecters of Land in Ningo for Afforestation programme.

“In the forestry aspect of it, yes forestation our aim is to restore one-million hectares in the next 6 years and Nasarawa state is committed to restore about 50,000 hectares in the next 6 years, so on that noticed the Chun Mada his Royal Highness has given us a 11 hectares of land at Ningo that which he also promise that if the Land Is not enough is going to give us as part of our commitment to do a lot of afforestation programme in those place, our intention is to raise 1 million seedling in each of the zone so that we can meet our target to enhance our carbon stocks and so far so good we have made the his Royal Highness as the ACReSAL ambassador to this project in the zone” Mr Gyobe said

On their parts Mr Clement Ngabeh secretary Akwanga LGC and The District Head of Andaha Mr Yohanna Zarma, who represented the Council chairman and Chun Mada both appreciated the state government and world bank for picking Akwanga and Loko Development Area as pilots locations, thereby promising to take the projects as thier own and monitor it whole heartedly to better the communities because the benefits are enormous interms Job creation, Community development and smart Agriculture.