Plateau tackles menace with N3.7 billion, inaugurates first climate
change assembly in Nigeria
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The metropolitan city of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, has over time battled with the effects of gully erosion scattered around the city, occasioned by years of mining and lack of deliberate efforts such as afforestation and the political will to control the menace of erosion in the state.
The decades of devastating consequences of gully erosion has led to the destruction of lives and properties. However, residents of Jos Metropolis have expressed joy over the N3.7 billion World Bank gully erosion control project attracted by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, describing it as a big sigh of relief for them.
Engr. Stephen Machack Ezekiel, who is the site engineer of the erosion project in the state, spoke with Daily Sun newspaper on the progress and challenges of the project. He disclosed how some affected persons continued to place unrealistic claims, with some requesting compensation in dollars because it’s a World Bank intervention project.
Daily Sun gathered that the total number of project affected persons (PAPs) is 175 persons, who were compensated by the state government after diligent processes that identified original owners of land and uncovered those into sharp practices pushing hard to defraud government with fake claims.
Mutfwang, in July 2023, launched the World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in the state, with a renewed pledged to ensure value for money on all projects and programmes being executed in the state, including the erosion-control project.
He promised to complete all World Bank projects in the state, irrespective of where they are sited, in line with his administration’s resolve to positively make a difference in the living conditions of the people of the state. He tasked the state coordinator of ACReSAL to ensure the state gets value for money invested in the projects.
Mutfwang said: “I wish to appeal to the coordinators of these projects to ensure that we get value for money wherever these projects are sited. The (ACReSAL) project is about refilling the land to make it serve mankind.
“Without water, we cannot survive. Therefore, we will ensure that water is appropriately channelled to places where there is no water so that we can have water to drink and for irrigation. There will be synergy between government ministries to ensure the proper delivery of these projects.”
The governor expressed optimism that, when the projects are completed, they will also generate employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the state. While appreciating the World Bank for financing the projects even though it is a loan that would be paid back, Mutfwang advised the project coordinators to make good use of the resources at their disposal to execute projects that will stand the test of time.
The Plateau State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes awarded the contract worth three billion seven hundred and thirty-nine million, eight hundred and thirteen thousand, eight hundred- and eighty-nine-naira, ninety kobo (N3,739,813,889.90) for the rehabilitation /reconstruction of Plateau Club-Bingham University Teaching Hospital’s gully erosion site after required paperwork.
Signing and presenting the contract agreement to Bay Royal International Construction Company, on behalf of the Plateau State Government at the ACreSAL Conference Hall in Jos, the state project coordinator, Mr. Garba Gowon Gonkol, thanked Governor Mutfwang, Task Team Coordinator and the World Bank for making it a reality.
He hinted that, after thorough assessment and scrutiny of over 25 contractors that applied for the contract, Bay Royal International met the ACreSAL contract specification and was chosen for the contract in the state.
The coordinator, however, urged the contracting firm to ensure due diligence, which is the expectation of Plateau people from them, hence, the need to ensure they stick to specifications and quality.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Kanang-Gwom, who is also the chairman, State Steering Committee (SSC), had earlier lamented that the state was affected by numerous climate change challenges occasioned by mining activities and charged the contractor to ensure he follows the required contract specifications and tasked the management of ACreSAL in the state to monitor the work religiously so that the expected specification would be achieved.
Daily Sun was at various sites where workers were busy trying to tidy up work on the first phase of the project as the rainy season is at hand. While interacting with some residents who appeared to be direct beneficiaries of the project at the time of the visit, most of them were full of commendations for the state government for championing the control of the ravaging gully erosions across the state capital.
Mr. Benjamin Dawam, the manager of Creek Garden and Bar, located along the State House of Assembly road, recalled how bad the environment around them used to be until the intervention, which, he said, has alleviated their worries.
“This intervention is fantastic. Before now, this gully erosion used to be very bad. In fact, we were handicapped; we didn’t know what to do about it because it was very deep. If you fell inside, you could even die there. It was very, very deep and bushy.
“You can see the beauty of this place now. People are now saying the environment is so lovely and we are also getting more customers. What we are thinking of doing now is that, if they’re going to leave it like this, we will do stonework up to this our place as part of our efforts to maintain this place. As far as I am concerned, they have done the major part for us.”
For 25 year-old-Michael Augu, an apprentice at a mechanic’s workshop located behind St. Piran’s Anglican Communion, Jos, the intervention was timely as oftentimes their clients became so scared of driving into the workshop because of the gully erosion that was eating away at the workshop’s land.
He said: “This place you’re seeing is looking good now because of the work they did. The edge of the stream you are seeing over there often slid consistently if it rained. Whenever it rained, you would see how the hilly part across kept collapsing, you would see water coming out from some holes like that. When it eats deep, then you will see the hilly part falling.
“If not because our boss kept filling this place with truckloads of sand and some debris from construction sites, the erosion could have since consumed our workshop. And you see there is another gully erosion behind us, so we are in the middle of two major waterways created by erosion. For the past four years that I have been leaning work here, sometimes clients will come and park by the roadside and call our boss to go and drive their cars into the workshop.
“We thank God that the state government took it upon itself to handle this erosion problem bedevilling us over the years. At least now our workshop is looking good, and we won’t be afraid of flooding here again.”
Mr. Emmanuel Gayus Jampak, a 48 year-old man who is into welding and fabrication, shared his joy and reservation about the ongoing project.
He said: “Actually, the ongoing gully erosion control work is a welcome idea by this governor. I am not an expert in this field but from my small observation on the work so far, I feel that this retention wall should have been higher than this level and the thickness should be more than this because it will last long so that it can resist any weight of sand that water will push down here.
“I feel if the retention wall is higher, it will be more easier also for the owners of land by this riverbank to make any meaningful development there. For the owner of the land to develop it, he will construct an underground structure before reaching the higher level. We don’t know what the contractor is going to do in levelling the hilly edges so that there won’t be another erosion.
“I have been here for the past 20 years and I want to let you know that this river was as small as that box culvert under the main road. Had it been this kind of project was done years back, this gully erosion won’t have taken place. If you look under the main road, you will see how small the waterway is, that was how this stream was, but erosion kept eating deep to this very point that is life threatening.”
A resident of Jos, Madam Teye Pam, also expressed reservations on the slow pace of work, considering the fact that the rainy season has set in. She said: “If you see the various tributaries where water come from into the major river, they are still left untouched. I was thinking it will also be looked into.
“And you can see that rain is already packing sand to drop there. See the one by our quarters, they have not touched it. The one close to the main road, rain has started covering the stone work they did.”
However, the ACReSAL project engineer, Engr. Stephen Machack Ezekiel, in a chat with Daily Sun, gave a breakdown of the scope of the project which consists of: “General site clearance, excavation and sloping of gully edges, construction of reinforced concrete spillways and drainages.
“Provision and planting of vetiver grass on buffer areas, construction of check-dams which is a stone-bundle work that will reduced erosion on deep areas and the construction of a hydraulic culvert. The project is a 7 kilometres length starting from Plateau State House of Assembly run through St. Piran’s into Jos Museum and ended at the Bingham University Teaching Hospital box culvert.
“The construction of catch-pit dam is to trapped water for farmers to use for irrigation to avoid them blocking the main waterways with stones or bags of sands in other for them to used the water; and you know by so doing it will block the waterways.
“The total number of Project Affected Person’s (PAPs) in the first phase of this project 175 persons and the total compensation cost is put at N278,649,455.60, the work currently is at 58% and the timeframe is 30 months.”
Ezekiel further shared his shocking experience while handling the projects where some of the affected persons were placing unrealistic claims for compensations while some also want compensation in dollars insisting it is a World Bank project.
“Some people were saying that this project is a World Bank project and they should be paid in dollars as compensation. Some claims are unrealistic, somebody will tell you that he do harvest 30 bags of maize on a small portion of land and as such required to be paid compensation of 30 bags of maize. But you and I knows that a 30 bags field is a big farm not that small portion of land.
“You will see that a tenant is claiming to be the landlord or owner of a property or land, and will confidently supply his/her details. We got some of them when we asked them to bring the documents of the properties, or land papers they were claiming, and that was when they had to fall back to the original owners to come forward.
“Some people was paid twice on the ground that the earlier payment was done to the person without carrying other family members along, so, they are not aware of such transaction. Somebody wanted to be paid compensation on a government land he is illegally occupying. His father long before now work with the Ministry of Land and Survey and they also allocated government land to themselves, so it was discovered during the thorough screening of claims by affected persons, you know this Governor is a meticulous person,” Ezekiel explained
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chadhuri, at the official flag-off made known the Bank’s readiness to support Plateau State government in financing projects that will have positive impact on the people.
He said the World Bank is willing to make life better for Nigerian citizens and to make the country more resilient in addressing issues of climate change, insecurity, land degradation, and water scarcity among others.
Prof. Chadhuri emphasized that the World Bank is in Nigeria to support in eliminating extreme poverty with improved welfare for the people. He added that part of the support includes ensuring that communities all over the country become more resilient in dealing with the challenges posed by climate change.
The Gbong Gwom Jos, Da. Jacob Gyang Buba, called for more collaboration between the government, traditional rulers and citizens in addressing environmental issues that affects the state.
The monarch emphasized that there is the need for synergy between the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Land and Survey and the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) in tackling the issues of environmental degradation in the state.
The Task Team leader of the ACReSAL Project and Senior Environmental Specialist World Bank Dr. Joy Agene, said Nigeria has a unique situation in terms of climate change. “While we have excess water in the south, we have issues of water scarcity in the north. The ACReSAL project was conceived to help build resilience of communities to the challenges of climate change.” Agene noted.
She maintained that the main objective of the ACReSAL project is to increased the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in targeted watersheds in Northern Nigeria and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term enabling environment for integrated climate-resilient landscape management.
Agene emphasized that the objective of the project can be achieved through the four-way components of the project. “The first component (Component A) is dry land management and in this component the project will work at strategic levels, develop catchment management plans and also reclaim degraded lands, control erosion, look into oasis restoration, restoration of parts and improving their services.
“In the second component (Component B )of the project, the activities will focused on working at the community level, bringing people together in a participatory manner to work with their plans, train them, improved their livelihoods, build their capacity and resilience to ensure that they can respond to ACReSAL objectives and be able to manage their natural resources/environment.
“The third component (Component C) very key is around institutional strengthening, improving infrastructure and bringing in innovative technology that can help the project function efficiently.
“In this component the project requires the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Environment, Water Resources, Agriculture and others MDAs to come up with policies that can help in addressing the root causes of the climate changes issues in the communities.” Agene stated
She further highlighted thus: “There is something critical with the component A of the project which is around ecosystem restoration, here the project support parks, wetlands such as Nguru wetland, forest management and also protected area and these are some of the activities of the project when it comes to dryland management.”
The National Project Coordinator (NPC) of the ACReSAL Project, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, commended the governor for hosting ACReSAL team of about 250 officers in Plateau for over 10 day given them the opportunity to critically look into the needs of the state and placing them on the priority list of the World Bank
He said that ACReSAL is a multi-sectoral and mixed breed project that the World Bank is so excited about considering the usual difficulties faced in bringing three independent ministries to work together smoothly and commended the collaborations seen in Plateau state.
Umar recounted that ACReSAL seeks to address issues around climate change which are natural and man made. He said what is paramount about the project across the 19 participating states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is that ACReSAL addresses and touches the last man in the rural communities.
The NPC thanked the governor for supporting ACReSAL and other developmental strides that address issues surrounding environment, food insecurity, land degradation and livelihoods of the people of Plateau. He however appealed that priority be given to ACReSAL in the developmental agenda of the governor noting that the project is available to help the governor actualize most of his people-oriented goals in the state.
The Procurement Officer of ACreSAL, Michael Adiwu, highlighted the terms of the contract and also disclosed that the contract sum was over N3,739,813,889.90 only and the contract time-frame would be for a duration of 30 months which would be equivalent to two and a half years.
The Executive Director of Bay Royal International, Kyauta Nathan Bawa, promised to deliver before the 30 months period specified for them to complete the contract. “As a company, the footprints of our work are all over Plateau State. We have worked in Riyom Local Government Area, Shendam Local Government Area and so many others. So, Plateau people should expect nothing less, but quality work” he stated.
As part of efforts to avoid repetition of failed projects in the state as witnessed in recent past, Governor Mutfwang earlier took it upon himself to embark on project monitoring of the gully erosion construction work by himself to ensure that the work adhere to specifications and quality work that will stand the test of time is delivered by the contractor.
Mutfwang reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises and improving citizens’ welfare during the inspection starting from the Plateau Club-Bingham University Teaching Hospital ACReSAL Gully Erosion Project site in Jos where he expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done and urged the contractors to expedite completion before the rainy season.
The governor emphasized the importance of durable and sustainable infrastructure, reiterating that his administration would not tolerate substandard projects. However, the CEO/GM of BAYROYAL International Dr. Nathen Bawa who took the Governor round promised to deliver the project on time, citing the company’s track record of quality projects.
According to Bawa, “The project, which began last year 2024, is a 3 year project but we will complete and deliver it to the Plateau State government by October 2025, rather than 2026, because the work is currently above 50%,” he stated
Meanwhile, the state has created the first Climate Change Assembly in Nigeria which is also believed to be the first in Africa. The Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Hon. Peter Gwom, disclosed that the Climate Assembly is a new approach to tackling the effects of Climate Change that places its citizens from all strata and corners of society at the very center of developing policies, laws and action plans in combating the effects experienced from Climate Change.
“Plateau State is not just our home; it is our heritage and our shared responsibility. Plateau State known for its cool climate, natural beauty, rich soil, high agricultural output now finds itself at the frontline of climate impacts such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, increased flooding, public health challenges, social instability, desertification, gully erosion, low agricultural yield, resource conflict, etc.
“So today, we must confront the truth together: our land is under pressure, and our future demands urgent and a united action. The time has come and the time is now to come together as a people to forge a path to securing our precious gift from God, our Land!
“The adverse effects of Climate Change sadly are mainly experienced by our highly vulnerable people and communities who lack the capacity to cope and do not have the skill set nor knowledge to defend themselves against the effects of climate change. They toil the land in vein and in many cases lose their life savings trying to make a living as they always have through our most precious gift from God Our Land.
“The erratic rainfall patterns have distorted farming activities compounded with new parasites affecting our crops. Our already poor farmers are now poorer due to the effects of climate change. They barely get enough to feed their families from their farming activities talk more of selling the excess as they always have to fund other activities.
“Our global ecosystem is being disrupted, and this has a devastating impact on our biodiversity resulting in the loss of some species of animals and plants. All these have necessitated the creation of the first Climate Change Assembly in Nigeria and maybe even Africa here in Plateau State.
“The Climate Assembly is a new approach to tackling the effects of Climate Change that places its citizens from all strata and corners of society at the very center of developing policies, laws and action plans in combating the effects experienced by all of us from Climate Change.
“This approach will yield multiple strategic benefits to the state such as: Policy Legitimacy and inclusivity, Strengthening Governance and Resilience, Access to Climate Finance, Elevated State Profile, these will compliment the deliberate efforts of the current administration of Governor Mutfwang in tightening the governance structures in Plateau State for a more effective implementation of Climate Change activities,” he stated.
The commissioner noted that a Climate Change policy has been developed after far reaching consultations with different MDAs, the traditional council, the Local Government Councils, Women, the disabled among others. “It will be the work of this Assembly to come up with an Action Plan on the implementation of this Policy so that it further captures and delivers to the people most affected from Climate Change.
“Since assuming office we have carried out projects such as Water Harvesting, Afforestation-Statewide, Gully Erosion in Mangu, Jos South and North, Cold Rooms to store grains in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and so on, Fencing of the Wildlife park to secure its biodiversity, Building of a N30bn Dam in Langtang North to provide water, Desilting our water ways to prevent flooding.
“Environmental Protection Law to strengthen our Laws, Waste Management Framework-Recycling, Waste to Power, Composting, Proper Waste Disposal, Provision of Solar Powered Boreholes in all the LGAs to support farmers, Provision of Economic trees such as Olive, Avocado, Palm trees among others to many communities.
“Provision of Farms tools such as tractors, knapsack sprayers, crates to help our farmers, Community Revolving Loans to support farmers with the resources to farm-Pilot Scheme. So, today marks a turning point in the development of strategies in combating climate related issues which in turn will contribute towards elevating the standard of living of our people,” he stated
The Director General, National Council on Climate Change Dr. Nkiruka Madukwe at the inauguration of the Assembly in Jos noted that the inauguration of the Assembly “signifies more than a formal gathering because it marks the dawn of a bold vision, one that places communities, local institutions, and cross-sector collaboration at the centre of climate decision-making.”
The DG presenting a paper titled: “Emerging Issues in Climate Change Response: Climate Finance, Carbon Credits, Technology, and Data Management” disclosed that despite the Federal Government efforts in developing a National Climate Finance Strategy aimed at creating enabling environments for climate investments, sub-national governments like Plateau State must also take concrete steps to position themselves for funding by designing a pipeline of bankable, climate-aligned projects, mainstreaming climate considerations into public budgeting processes, and building institutional capacity for fiduciary and safeguards compliance.
“Sub-national actors can access a range of sources, including the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Adaptation Fund, Global Environment Facility (GEF), bilateral donor support, blended finance mechanisms, green bonds, partnerships with philanthropic foundations and impact investors.
“Nigeria is in the final stages of developing a comprehensive National Framework for Carbon Market Development. This includes establishing the rules, registries, and verification systems required to participate in both compliance and voluntary carbon markets,” she said.
Madukwe maintained that for the State to participate effectively, it must institutionalize emissions baselines and MRV systems, develop a legal framework to manage benefit sharing, and strengthen capacity development for project developers and government agencies.
“The role of technology is a critical enabler of climate action. It enhances the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of both mitigation and adaptation interventions.
“Technology is reshaping our climate response from early warning systems and precision agriculture to green infrastructure and renewable energy grids. However, there is a gap in many developing countries due to lack of access to knowledge, infrastructure, and capacity to deploy climate-smart solutions at scale. In closing this gap, all must synergize across boards,” she charged
The Director General, National Council on Climate Change reiterate that opportunities for Plateau State abounds especially in areas of renewable energy solutions such as decentralized solar power and clean cooking; climate-smart agriculture including precision farming tools, drought-resistant crops, and digital extension services; and disaster risk management systems including early warning technologies, geospatial analytics, and climate modelling.
“States can benefit by forming innovation clusters, incubating local start-ups, and attracting green tech investments.
Effective data management enables evidence-based decision making, transparency and accountability in project delivery, and compliance with the Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) under the Paris Agreement.
“Issues here include: Data gaps in monitoring greenhouse gas emissions, disaster risks, and adaptation outcomes. The need for interoperable platforms that integrate data across agriculture, water, health, energy.
Ownership and access: Data should be democratized and shared with stakeholders, especially at the sub-national level.
“To enhance data readiness, Plateau State should establish a State Climate Data Repository aligned with the national MRV architecture, collaborate with universities, research institutes, and NGOs for climate data collection and validation, and adopt digital tools and dashboards for real-time data monitoring and public dissemination.” She posited
Plateau State has taken a commendable first step with the Climate Assembly as a pace setter, however, the real work lies ahead in translating dialogue into action. She urged the State to embed the emerging themes into its forthcoming Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, leveraging national and international support to build capacity, attract investments, and institutionalize collaboration mechanisms for sustained stakeholder engagement.
The DG noted that Plateau State House of Assembly needs to enact and adopt the climate change law which will provides the basis for governance; embed a climate change fund and ensure that their projects have climate rationale and ensure accountability.
Thematic Clusters and Action Areas for Climate Change Action Plan Development
Using the summary of the draft Climate Change Policy, covers 6 thematic clusters comprising 20 action areas were mapped out at the end of the technical session.
The thematic clusters were used to identified the relevant MDA Directors invited to the Climate Assembly where they served as Critical Stakeholders (action owners). Each cluster was facilitated by a technical team member, who handheld the respective MDAs and Assembly Members to develop action plans.
In the area of Energy, the cluster consist of the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Transport, Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use (AFOLU), Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources , Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development.
Also is Ministry of Tourism Urban Development and Infrastructure, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Works
Ministry of Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Health and Social Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
The Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Ministry Justice, Ministry of Information and Communication, Finance and Investment, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Plateau State Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Mines and Agriculture
Some of the challenges identified on Energy has to do with the problem of deforestation leading to excessive heat, contamination of ground water by chemicals and fertilizers used in farming, Biodiversity destruction, Contamination of water sources, Fluctuation in ground water level and water scarcity
High cost of L.P.Gs as transition fuel for the production of bread. Erosion that causes depletion of soil quality, Low water level affecting water drilling business as you have to drill deeper to find water. Mining affects the water level and lead to ground water contamination, as well as late rainfall and consequential heat
In the area of agriculture, forestry and land use (AFOLU), the Tourism Sector is faced with Loss in biodiversity, Extreme weather conditions with high temperature and rainfall resulting in flooding, Destruction of tourist site due to flooding, Deforestation of the environment, Mining activities, Pollution, Hydrological factors such as water pollution, Emission of greenhouse gases, Erosion, Insecurity, lack of enforcement of regulations were identified among others.
Dr Madukwe noted that in the area of Agric /Livestock, the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides leads to Siltation, Water stress, Loss of productivity/yield, Flooding, Delay in rainfall
Lack of awareness creation on the effects of tree felling, Lack of promoting organic fertilizers by the government (going green).
She said the cutting of trees for Road, bridge, dam, airport construction among others has contributed to the Loss of ground cover, a construction practices that witnessed Waste in construction. With poor city planning and implementation, Infrastructure damages displacement and migration, Mining, Boreholes and blasting of rocks, Poor highway design, Poor building designs and implementation.
She said Run-off water into the surrounding low land areas is a major disaster management challenge hence the building of water dams should be considered. There is no policy regarding felling of tress and that has resulted in extinction of various endangered species of trees in the state.
The Executive Director of Fundlink Aid International, Engr. David Jaafaru outline reasons why there must be inclusion of all in the fight against climate change and an evidence-based policy making.
He insisted that the assembly must also integrate citizens from the local levels up to the state, as well as private sector and experts. “Government should also adopts recommendations of the assembly and implement accordingly.” He advised.