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From Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has urged the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to prioritize the development of robust sustainability plans for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project before 2028.
This move aims to ensure that the project’s gains are not lost after the World Bank-supported initiative concludes.
The Minister made this call in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, during the flag-off of climate-smart initiatives, clean energy, and waste management programs, featuring the distribution of agricultural equipment to benefiting councils across the state.
Minister Lawal emphasized the need for local ownership and institutionalized maintenance frameworks.
These measures, he noted, would ensure that the agricultural inputs and essential commodities provided continue to serve the target communities for decades.
He further explained that the ACReSAL project was specifically designed to tackle deforestation, desertification, and challenges in waste and water management.
According to the Minister, “The ACReSAL project is scheduled to wind down on March 31, 2028.
“Benefiting states must find ways to sustain this project to ensure the recorded gains continue to yield results. We must also work to ensure local communities own this project, as community engagement is an integral part of any sustainability plan.”
The Minister commended Taraba for being among the five best-performing states under the ACReSAL project and announced that the Federal Government is launching a rosewood restoration plan, which will be piloted in Taraba, Cross River, and Benue states.
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Responding, the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, announced the creation of the Taraba Agro-Climatic and Watershed Management Agency as a key component of the state’s sustainability strategy.
He noted that ratifying the project into an institutional framework would follow the ACReSAL blueprint, ensuring that communities across the state continue to enjoy the dividends of his administration.
Governor Kefas also announced that the state government would establish a Rosewood restoration task force to collaborate with the Federal Government on its reforestation goals.
Earlier, the ACReSAL State Project Coordinator, Dr. Yakubu Giwa, noted that the project’s achievements have been extensive, with footprints across all 16 local government areas of the state.
He thanked the state government for its support, which he said has facilitated the seamless execution of projects.
As part of the event, the minister flagged off the distribution of over 100 power tillers to community interest groups, 20 tractors to local government areas, 1,500 clean cookstoves, and several solar-powered pumps.
He also commissioned renovated buildings and handed over brand-new Hilux vehicles to the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Water Resources, as well as the Taraba Environmental Protection Agency (TEPA).
