Nigeria: FG Urges Northern States, FCT to Develop Sustainability Plans for Acresal Project By 2028

- The Federal Government has called on the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory to develop robust sustainability plans for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative to ensure its benefits endure beyond the conclusion of the World Bank-supported program.

Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment, made the appeal in Jalingo during the launch of climate-smart, clean energy, and waste management programs. The event also featured the distribution of agricultural equipment to local councils.

Minister Lawal stressed the importance of local ownership and institutionalized maintenance frameworks to ensure that agricultural inputs and essential commodities continue to benefit target communities long-term. He noted that ACReSAL aims to address deforestation, desertification, and challenges in waste and water management.

"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," Lawal said. He added that community engagement is a key part of any sustainability plan.

The minister commended Taraba State for being among the top five performing states under ACReSAL and announced a federal rosewood restoration plan to be piloted in Taraba, Cross River State, and Benue State.

Responding, Agbu Kefas said Taraba has established the Taraba Agro-Climatic and Watershed Management Agency to embed the ACReSAL framework into state institutions. He also announced a Rosewood restoration task force in collaboration with the federal government.

Dr. Yakubu Giwa highlighted the project's impact across all 16 local government areas of Taraba and thanked the state government for facilitating its implementation.

The minister flagged off the distribution of over 100 power tillers, 20 tractors, 1,500 clean cookstoves, and several solar-powered pumps. He also commissioned renovated buildings and handed over new Hilux vehicles to the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Water Resources, as well as the Taraba Environmental Protection Agency (TEPA).

Read the original article on Vanguard.