By Faridat Salifu
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) project, supported by the World Bank, has unveiled plans to establish 25 hectares of woodlot plantations in select Local Government Areas within Borno State.
Executive Director of Global Environmental Responds Initiative (GERI), which serves as an implementing partner for the project, Ngare Dogo, made this known during a sensitization visit to the Emir of Shani, Alhaji Muhammadu Mailafiya, in Shani LGA of the state.
Dogo informed that the woodlots represent a vital component of ACReSAL’s efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
He further revealed that Shani LGA is one of the areas selected for the establishment of the woodlot plantations.
“To facilitate the project’s implementation in Shani, a Local Government Project Management Committee (LGPMC) will be inaugurated”, he said.
Also, the Project Coordinator in Borno, Ayuba Peter, added that the ACReSAL project, which is designed to span six years and aims to tackle deforestation for resilience of communities in the designated areas while promoting environmental sustainability.
Peter, represented by Babagana Ladan, encouraged the local communities and members of LGPMC to be committed to the project, to ensure adequate implementation and success.
In their separate speeches, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Bukar Goba and Livelihood Officer Yafati Mustapha, emphasized the importance of stakeholder commitment as the project has the potential to uplift many individuals, especially women, from poverty.
The visit was used to inaugurate the ACReSAL Team of the LGPMC by the Chairman of the LGA, Prof. Jibrin Dibal.
Inaugurating the committee, Dibal, represented by the council Vice Chairman, Iliyasu Mohammed, urged the committee to work diligently towards the project’s success. He stressed the community’s readiness to participate in the initiative.
Earlier, Emir Mailafiya expressed his gratitude to the Borno State Government for including Shani in the ACReSAL program and pledged the traditional institution’s support for its successful implementation.
He also lamented the challenges posed by erosion in the area and sought ACReSAL’s assistance in addressing the concern.