ACReSAL Project Delivers Sustainable Impact on Environment and Communities – Minister

The ACReSAL Project, under the guidance of Environment Minister, Dr. Ishaq Salako, has achieved remarkable success in ensuring the long-term impact of its initiatives on the people and the environment across project-implementing states.

During a meeting at the ministry’s headquarters on Friday, Dr. Salako commended the ACReSAL team for their dedication to sustainability and the enduring effects of their investments.

He stressed the importance of maintaining a beneficiary database for efficient analysis, record management, inventory tracking, and informed decision-making.

Furthermore, Dr. Salako highlighted the project’s significant role in job creation, advocating for the training of individuals in seedling nursing and support provision, as well as facilitating the mobilization of buyers.

He also emphasized the need to strengthen relationships with National Park Services and the Ministry of Tourism to overcome security challenges and promote tourism.

The Minister’s guidance extended to the establishment of a periodic mechanism for independent project evaluations, ensuring continuous improvement.

The National Project Coordinator, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, shared the project’s success story.

He explained that ACReSAL’s state-focused approach, extending from state to community levels, has been implemented across 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory.

This multi-sectoral project covers Environment, Agriculture, and Water, aligning with the Federal Government’s objective to restore 1 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

Mr. Umar detailed the project’s key components, including Dryland Management, Community Climate Resilience, Institutional Strengthening & Project Management, and the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC).

He highlighted the project’s goals, such as reducing land degradation, enhancing vegetative cover, increasing agricultural productivity, improving water access, and supporting livelihoods, especially for women and vulnerable groups.

The project’s achievements were notable, with 1,139 hectares of degraded land already restored.

Additionally, it had positively impacted 96,529 beneficiaries, including 44,992 women, through activities like sensitization, the installation of solar boreholes for water access, and the distribution of clean cook stoves.

The meeting included the participation of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Dr. Ibrahim Yusufu Idris, along with other ministry directors and officials, and representatives from the World Bank’s Nigeria Office.

The ACReSAL Project stands as a testament to its commitment to environmental and community well-being.