Kwanta Emphasizes Cooperation for Smooth Implementation of Projects

Cooperation among stakeholders is vital for the successful execution of every project.

Nasarawa State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kwanta Yakubu, made this assertion during a management meeting of the Nasarawa State Agro-climatic Resilient in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) in his office in Lafia.

The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Kwanta Yakubu, said the World Bank-assisted project has been meticulously designed to address climate-related challenges with the aim of improving lives across Northern Nigeria, with specific focus on Nasarawa State.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to transitioning from the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) to ACReSAL, Kwanta emphasized the importance of cooperation among relevant stakeholders to work within specified timeframes in order to achieve ACReSAL’s objectives.

These objectives he said are centered on improving agricultural practices, combating forest and land degradation, and implementing measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.

In addition, the technical committee chairman of the project and Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Garba Rosha Muhammad, lauded the state government for its continued support of the program and pledged to expedite processes to achieve the desired results.

Providing an update on the progress made, the Nasarawa State coordinator of ACReSAL, Napoleon Gyobe Elias, informed the meeting that the six-year project, which commenced in 2023, has made significant strides in planning and designing, with some components already completed.

He specifically mentioned that approved storm water construction sites inherited from NEWMAP in Lafia, Doma, and Toto would soon commence, along with a proposed tree planting initiative in the state.

Elias indicated that they are working on establishing 6 nursery sites in 6 local government areas to ensure adequate supply of seedlings, as part of plans to revive approximately 15,000 hectares of forests across the state within the next 6 years.

Various stakeholders, including the Commissioners for Finance, Agriculture, Women Affairs, and Water Resources, expressed their commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the project.