World Bank commends ACReSAL project for massive restoration of land in northern Nigeria

The World Bank has commended the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project for its massive achievement in restoration of land in parts of Northern Nigeria.

ACReSAL is a World Bank approved project aimed at increasing the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in northern Nigeria and strengthening the country’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.

Speaking at ACReSAL Stakeholders Engagement/ Marketplace Showcase in Abuja, on Tuesday, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank and Task Team Leader, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Dr Joy Agene, said that marketplace for ACReSAL project had delivered huge investment through land restoration.

She noted that “marketplace for ACReSAL is where we have a huge investment that is saving millions of land in targeted watersheds.”

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She explained that: “Marketplace is also a technology where water is conserved in dryland to ensure that we are able to produce, sell and make income.”

Practice Manager Environment, World Bank, Mrs Ellysar Baroudy expressed satisfaction with the project, saying the project had really been an example within the whole World Bank portfolio.

She said the World Bank was faced with challenges of climate change, degradation, as well as finance.

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Baroudy urged ACReSAL to be resolute in spite of the challenges being faced at the point of discharging their work.

The National Project Coordinator ACReSAL, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, said that the project was a people-oriented project that would sustain livelihoods.

He added that the project had touched so many lives, especially the down trodden in communities.

Director Water Support Services, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr Segun Babarinde said that the marketplace had showcased a collaborative effort within the stakeholders.

He said: “I want to thank all the states for being very, resolute in ensuring the achievement of this glorious idea by the government.”

Director International Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Finance, Mr George Stanley, said that there was no doubt that the project had delivered on various aspects of environment, agriculture, water resources, and even beyond.

He said: “In special terms, the project has improved the resilience and livelihood of the communities through wide range interventions carefully implemented by institutional partners.”

Etsu Kwali, a prominent traditional ruler with the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Mr Luka Ayedo, said that the intervention of marketplace project was already yielding excellent results.

He noted that: “The project has come to terminate hunger in our community; the intervention has impacted us for good. I want to say the World Bank has invested rightly.”