By
Akanta Hannah
Taraba state governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas has promised to provide an enabling environment for the Agro-Climate Resilience in semi-Arid Landscape, ACReSAL program to achieve its developmental objectives in the state
The governor gave the assurance during ACRESAL’s Hybrid Implementation Support Mission and Consultative Stakeholders Forum held in Jalingo the Taraba State capital.
Represented by his deputy, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, the governor emphasised the importance of the project in tackling environmental changes caused by climate change, pointing out that ACRESAL’s initiative is timely and aligns with his administration’s agenda of addressing environmental degradation.
While commending the federal government, world Bank and other stakeholders for implementing the project in Taraba state, he expressed optimism saying with collaborative efforts and innovative approaches, they would build community resilience and ensure sustainable agricultural practices.
ACRESAL World Bank Task Team lead, Dr. Joy Iganya appreciated Taraba state government for accepting and supporting the ACReSAL team, noting that their approach of working with existing systems and structures will be instrumental in achieving success.
In his remarks, ACReSAL National Project Coordinator, Dr. Abdulhamidi Umar identified Taraba state as one of the states with a proper grasp of the project, commending the government and other partners for pushing for the implementation of the program.
According to him, ACReSAL is a federal government intervention project with support from World Bank, accessed by the 19 northern states and the Federal capital territory, which seeks to restore one million hectares of degraded land in Northern Nigeria.
Also speaking, Taraba state ACReSAL project coordinator, Joshua Samaila Dumuti, said the program is implemented in three ministries in the state, domiciled in the state ministry of environment and climate with the Ministries of Agriculture and water resources as collaborating ministries.
He explained that Taraba State’s participation in the project is adding value to land restoration and has so far restored fifty hectares of degraded land.
Earlier in her welcome speech, Commissioner for Environment and climate change who doubles as chairperson ACReSAL state steering committee, Taraba State, Aishatu Barde, used the opportunity to call on stakeholders to contribute their expertise and perspectives stressing that by fostering agro climatic resilience, they would enhance food security, improve water management, protect biodiversity, thereby uplifting the lives of the communities which depend on landscape.
