National Project Coordinator, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, Abdulhamid Umar has commended the Niger State Government under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago for approving the release of the sum of Nine Hundred Million Naira (#900,000,000) as counterpart funding to support investment into ACReSAL Project.

He stated this during a Hybrid Technical Support Mission in Minna recently.

Abdulhamid Umar said ACReSAL seeks to address the challenges brought about by climate change caused by human and natural activities adding that human activities and natural causes have dealt a big blow to the environment hence the need for all hands on deck to check the increasing environmental-related challenges.

The National Project Coordinator explained that the Mission in the State was comprised of Climate Change Specialists, Experts in Environment among other professionals to examine, authenticate and assess the level of implementation of ACReSAL project objectives.

“Niger State happens to also suffer seriously from degraded landscape arising from issues surrounding climate change that has led to degradation of the landscape perhaps, due to consistent farming in the farming areas.

The value of these landscapes has not only been reduced but deforestation has become loudly pronounced in our farming communities where trees are fallen. The land has so degraded and these are the challenges we are poised to tackle” Abdulhamid explained.

He further explained that the ACReSAL project is anchored on three core Ministries including the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources at both State and Federal levels to drive the implementation of the ACReSAL project across the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In his welcome address, the Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Musa Salihu Bawa Bosso reiterated the commitment of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s led administration to reclaim degraded lands and improve the livelihood of the people, especially at the grassroots through improved agricultural activities in the state.

He disclosed that over Three Hundred Million Naira (#300,000,000) out of the approved Nine Hundred Million Naira (#900,000,000) has been released by the state government to support the project.

Bosso said the State Government was mindful of the importance and benefits of greening the environment which according to him informed the government initiative of hosting the recently held Green Economic Summit in the state.

The Commissioner further disclosed that assorted trees and low-hanging fruit seedlings have been planted and more are underway to be planted across the state.

He appreciated the development partners particularly the World Bank for the visit and unwavering support accorded to the state towards achieving desired results.

Speaking on the purpose of the Support Mission in Niger State, the State Project Coordinator, Usman Garba Ibeto, explained that the Team was in the state to assess the level of implementation of the ACReSAL project vis-a-vis appraisal of the successes recorded, challenges and making recommendations where necessary.

Ibeto described the event as special as according to him, it was the first time receiving a high-level Mission in the state since the last two years of ACReSAL in Niger State.

He expressed optimism that the team will be impressed with the successes so far recorded.

The support mission led by the Core Task Team Leader from the Word Bank, Mr Manievel Sene will in the 6-day working visit, carry out a series of activities including community engagement, site tour, and technical session among others.