By Our Reporter
The World Bank team for the ACReSAL project has disclosed that the bank has disbursed the sum of $2 million to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, after meeting all the criteria for the Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
Dr. Joy Iganya Agene disclosed this at weekend when she led the World Bank team on a courtesy visit to the office of the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.
She also informed the minister about the potential of the FCT to access additional funding which is hinged on having a Catchment Management Plan (CMP), Environmental Social Mangement Plan (ESMP), and Engineering Designs for the various interventions in place for the FCT to move to tier two of the project. Thereafter, the FCT will qualify to to access the funds, Agene noted.
She commended the rapid progress made by the FCT and attribued it the effective leadership in the FCT and capacity of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) members.
She, however, emphasized on the need to put a plan in place to address large scale deforestation in the FCT.
Responding, the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCTA), and Chairperson of the FCT ACReSAL, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, reaffirmed FCTA for the Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) in the territory.
She highlighted the crucial role of ACReSAL project in tackling environmental challenges amplified by develomental ctivities and a growing population in the FCT.
Mahmoud praised the project and described it as a testament to the strong partnership between the World Bank and the FCT Administration aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and agricultural development for the residents of the FCT.
She emphasized on the notable progress of the ACReSAL project which benefits the 19 Northern States and the FCT.
The minister expressed gratitude to the World Bank’s innovative programme and acknowledged the vital contributions of the Federal Project Monitoring Unit (FPMU) in provoding guidance to the Project Implementation Unit (IPU) of the FCT towards achieving its goals.
In his welcome address, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat and Chairman, FCT ACReSAL Technical Committee, Lawan Kolo Geidam, noted that the visit was essential for strengthening institutional collaboration and ensuring smooth project implementatation.