A sure blueprint for sustainable Natural Resource Management in Nigeria.
This formed the basis of discussions at the Appraisal and Validation of nine (9) Strategic Catchment Management Plans currently taking place in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The Five-day event has drawn stakeholders from the World Bank, FPMU, relevant ACReSAL implementing States, various MDAs and the Academia, as well as the Project Coordinator, Kogi ACReSAL, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto (OON), who is also attending the workshop along with stakeholders from various MDAs in Kogi State.
The Hon. Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. (Engr.) Joseph Terlumun Utsev, in his keynote speech at the event, emphasized the fact that shrinking water bodies had led to food insufficiency in the Country.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director, Forestry, in the Ministry, stated that the Federal Government was ready to strengthen climate resilience and restore degraded landscapes.
The World Bank Senior Environmental Specialist and Task Team Leader of the ACReSAL Project, Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, in her message through the ACReSAL Climate Specialist at the FPMU, said Strategic Catchment Management Plans were put in place not only for Ecological stability, but to also enhance livelihoods in our communities.
According to the TTL, the plans being validated represent the voices of the people and that the validation would, apart from being evident-based, also prove that interventions across states will be sustainable.
Speaking also at the event, the National Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL Project, Abdulhamid Umar said the workshop was a gathering not only of experts, but of people who care about the land that feeds their families; the water that sustains our villages and the future desires of our children.
The NPC, who was represented by the Water Resources Specialist at the FPMU, reiterated that the effects of land degradation, desertification, drying rivers, etc., are not distant tales, but harsh realities we face today.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Project Coordinator, Kebbi ACReSAL, Ahmed Isa-Tela, represented by his Communication Officer, emphasized the fact that the Appraisal and Validation of the Catchment Management Plans is a transformative initiative to support the implementation of sustainable landscape management practices in Northern Nigeria.
Goodwill messages came from HRH, Ibrahim Gambo Kabir, the Maigari of Lokoja and Mr. Olorin Yomi AbdulRahman, Director, Forestry, Kwara State.
ACReSAL… Greening Environment… Saving Lives!!!
