Kogi State steering and technical committees for the World Bank’s Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL) has been inaugurated.
The committees were inaugurated by Governor Yahaya Bello in Lokoja on Friday.
Governor Bello, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, Dr. Folashade Arike Ayoade charged the committees to ensure success of the project.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Victor Adewale Omofaiye congratulated Governor Bello for the successful inclusion of Kogi State in the ACReSAL Project, which is to stem the tide of desert encroachment, land degradation, gully erosion, and poverty alleviation in a sustainable manner.
According to the Commissioner, the array of testimonies on the accomplishments of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) led by Barr. Ladi Jatto in Kogi State, enabled the easy consideration of Kogi State for participation in the ACReSAL Project financed by World Bank.
He commended the Governor for his unfettered support in seeing both projects up and running by providing the counterpart funding needed, state manpower, logistics and other interlocutory demands from the world financial body.
The SSG, Dr. Ayoade, while inaugurating members of the SSC & STC, charged them to be diligent in the discharge of their duties, ensuring the success of the project in the State, as Governor Bello was eager to see the project score high like other world Bank assisted projects in the state.
Delivering the vote of thanks on the occasion, the project coordinator of NEWMAP Kogi, now in dual capacity of ACReSAL, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto thanked Governor Bello for his unflinching support towards NEWMAP, which is hinged on his sensitivity to environmental concerns.
Barr. Jatto explained that the ACReSAL Project, in addition to its many interventions, equally aims to bring about sustainable development through its Community Revolving Fund (CRF), which would be made available for the economic empowerment of many communities to serve as intervention.
Barr. Jatto eulogized the constant support of the Commissioner for Environment and Permanent Secretary of the ministry for the robust and cordial working relationship so far, praying the same feat to be maintained on the current project.
