By Abdullahi Lukman
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas,
has clarified that the $25,000 distributed to 10 communities in Kaduna State as part of the World Bank-assisted Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project are loans, not grants.
Speaking at the event on March 2, 2025, Abbas clarified that the funds, totaling over N375 million, would function as an investment fund for local farmer groups, promoting climate-smart rain-fed agriculture.
The initiative, which benefits the 10 communities – Anchau, Kuzuntu, Kubau, Zuntu, Jenau, Likoro, Jaja, Hunkuyi, Kudan, and Danmahawayi, is aligned with the federal government’s broader goal of rehabilitating one million hectares of degraded land, contributing to the restoration of four million hectares by 2030.
Abbas described the effort as critical to reducing the vulnerability of communities in northern Nigeria, helping them better manage their environment and boost their resilience.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, who presented the cheques, highlighted that the fund supports his administration’s commitment to rural transformation.
Related Posts
He outlined the disbursement plan, beginning with Kudan and Kubau Local Governments, which will cover 82 Community Interest Groups (CIGs) in the first phase.
The second phase will extend to four local governments in the Central and Southern Senatorial zones and two Area Councils in the Northern Senatorial zone.
The final phase will address the remaining 11 local government areas.
Governor Uba Sani also reiterated Kaduna’s proactive stance on climate change, referencing initiatives such as the state’s 10-year Climate Change Policy and land restoration efforts.
He mentioned the training of 500 women, youth, and school-feeding vendors in biomass briquette production as an alternative to wood fuel, as well as the procurement of the Amphibious Excavator (Swamp Buggy) for erosion control and river maintenance.
Dr. Joy Agene, Task Team Lead of the ACReSAL project, commended the state for its environmental sustainability efforts, ranking it among the best-performing sub-nationals in the country.
