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From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the successful implementation of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project across Nigeria.
The minister, Prof Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this declaration during the ongoing Mid-term Review Steering Technical Committee meeting of ACReSAL in Kaduna.
Utsev, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the project’s Steering Committee, described the initiative as a critical intervention in Nigeria’s fight against climate change, land degradation, and water insecurity.
He stressed that the ministry, through the river basin development authorities and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, would continue to drive key components of the project, including watershed management, improved flood forecasting, early warning systems, and the development of sustainable water infrastructure.
According to him, the mid-term review comes at a crucial stage, offering stakeholders the opportunity to assess progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and confront operational challenges hindering optimal impact.
“This meeting is not just a routine exercise; it is a moment of truth. It allows us to take stock, identify gaps, and reposition for greater efficiency and results,” the minister said.
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He further noted that enhanced collaboration among sectors and institutions remains vital to achieving the project’s objectives.
Utsev outlined priority areas moving forward, including deepening integrated water and landscape management, improving access to reliable hydrological and climate data for planning and risk management, and ensuring the sustainability and scalability of project interventions.
In his remarks, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas, who chairs the Steering Committee of ACReSAL, acknowledged the growing impact of the project on communities nationwide.
He, however, challenged state governments to enact enabling laws that would sustain the gains of the initiative beyond its lifespan.
The meeting also featured key presentations from representatives of the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani; the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; and the World Bank Technical Team Leader for ACReSAL, Dr Joy Agene.
The ACReSAL project, supported by the World Bank, is designed to tackle the challenges of land degradation and climate vulnerability in Northern Nigeria, while boosting sustainable agricultural productivity and livelihoods.
