By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reaffirmed its commitment to the successful implementation of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project across Nigeria.
The Minister, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this known on Thursday during the Mid-Term Review Steering Technical Committee meeting of ACReSAL held in Kaduna.
He noted that the ministry, through its River Basin Development Authorities and Hydrological Services, will continue to support watershed management, improve flood forecasting and early warning systems, and promote sustainable water infrastructure.
Utsev described the mid-term review as timely, providing stakeholders an opportunity to assess progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and identify operational challenges affecting the project’s impact.
He added that the meeting would enhance collaboration across sectors and institutions critical to achieving the project’s goals.
He outlined priority areas for the project’s success, including strengthening integrated water and landscape management, ensuring access to reliable hydrological and climate data for planning and risk management, and promoting sustainability and scalability of interventions.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas, acknowledged the positive impact of ACReSAL on communities nationwide. He urged state governments to enact laws that would sustain the project beyond its duration.
The meeting featured presentations from representatives of the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and the World Bank technical team.
