Juliet Ezeh
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to the successful implementation of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, describing it as a critical intervention for environmental sustainability and climate adaptation in Nigeria.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, gave the assurance on Thursday during the Mid-Term Review Steering Technical Committee meeting of the ACReSAL project in Kaduna.
Utsev, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the project’s Steering Committee, said the ministry remains fully committed to supporting watershed management, strengthening flood forecasting systems, and improving early warning mechanisms across the country.
According to him, agencies under the ministry, including the River Basin Development Authorities and Hydrological Services, will continue to play a central role in delivering water infrastructure that supports both present and future generations.
He noted that the mid-term review comes at a crucial stage in the project cycle, providing stakeholders the opportunity to assess progress, identify implementation gaps, and address operational challenges affecting impact delivery.
“The meeting is important because it allows us to take stock of what has been achieved so far and strengthen collaboration across sectors,” he said.
The Minister also highlighted key priorities for sustaining the project’s success, including integrated water and landscape management, reliable hydrological and climate data for planning, improved risk management systems, and scalable interventions that can be sustained beyond the project lifecycle.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas, who chairs the ACReSAL Steering Committee, commended the project’s impact on rural communities across the country.
He urged state governments to put in place legal frameworks that will ensure the sustainability of project outcomes after donor support ends.
The meeting also featured presentations from the representative of the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the World Bank Technical Team Leader for ACReSAL, Dr. Joy Agene.
The ACReSAL project, supported by the World Bank, is designed to address land degradation, improve climate resilience, and strengthen sustainable livelihoods in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.