Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
The Sokoto state government has announced that it has paid the sum of N1billion as counterpart funding for Agro- Chemical Resilience in Semi -Arid Landscapes (ACRESAL) Projects to Curb Desert Encroachment.
The governor of the state, Dr Ahmed Aliyu made this known at the Stakeholders forum organised by Sokoto state ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Water resources in collaboration with World Bank in Sokoto.
According to Aliyu the state government’s investment in environmental, water management, had brought about the desired change in the state.
“Our past collaborations have impacted positively on target beneficiaries, and it is our hope that going forward, we can deepen access to portable water for drinking and irrigation has boost agricultural production especially in the rural areas,” he added.
He stated that the aim of the project is to combat environmental Degradation, and provide food security and provide job opportunities for the teeming youth in the state.The governor noted that as part of the government commitment over 800 men and women including youths have been mobilized, and trained on Grievance Redress Mechanism, Business Management for the Community Interest Group (CIGs).
He further explained that over 3,000 people have been mobilized and sensitized about the project stressing that there is on-going establishment of 40km Shelter-belt in Wurno LGA, that serves to build defenses against wind there-by forming breaks for farmlands and homesteads in nine communities of Wurno, thus crop destruction by winds
“We also established a 500Ha Forest Enrichment Plantation also in Wurno LGA, designed to improve the ion that threatens the fertile Fadama land in Wurno and surrounding areas continue unhindered.
He maintained that the state has also established 7000Ha Agro Forestry with Moringa Oleifara (Zogale) trees, this activity is aimed at improving the food security of beneficiary communities, covering 23 beneficiaries,
He said the project will restore for the state 19,000,000 M3 (Nineteen Million Cubic meters) of water in Lugu Dam and will rehabilitate 1,300Ha (One Thousand Three Hundred Hectares)
Aliyu called on the World Bank to consider easing the procurement processes saying this will encouraged them to partner with more agencies for development of the state.
He thanked the World Bank and federal government for including Sokoto State in the project.
On her part the Practicing Manager of World Bank Ms Lia Sieghart said the bank is concerned about the effect of climate change in Nigeria.
She added that the project is meant for nineteen northern states including Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has a time frame of six years.
Also speaking the National Project Coordinator of ACRESAL Abdulhamid Umar thanked Sokoto state government for living up to expectation by paying it Counterpart Fund.
He said the agency will collaborate with relevant MDAs for policy implementation.
He lauded World Bank for partnering with the agency in combating environmental degradation and help in boosting agricultural production in Northern Nigeria.