The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to the successful implementation of the Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, emphasizing its critical role in strengthening climate resilience, water management, and sustainable development across Nigeria.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this known on Thursday during the ongoing Mid-Term Review Steering Technical Committee meeting of the ACReSAL project held in Kaduna.
Utsev, who also serves as Co-Chairman of the project’s Steering Committee, stressed that the ministry remains committed to leveraging its agencies, including River Basin Development Authorities and Hydrological Services, to enhance watershed management, improve flood forecasting, and strengthen early warning systems nationwide.
He noted that the mid-term review comes at a crucial stage of the project, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to assess progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and identify operational gaps limiting impact.
“The review will further strengthen collaboration across sectors and institutions, which is essential to achieving the project’s objectives,” the minister stated.
He outlined key priority areas for the project’s success, including integrated water and landscape management, access to reliable hydrological and climate data for planning and risk management, as well as ensuring the sustainability and scalability of interventions.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment and Chairman of the Steering Committee, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, acknowledged the positive impact of the ACReSAL project on communities across the country. He, however, urged state governments to enact enabling laws that would sustain the gains of the project beyond its lifecycle.
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The meeting also featured presentations from representatives of key stakeholders, including the Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, and the World Bank Technical Team Leader for ACReSAL, Joy Agene.
The ACReSAL project is a World Bank-supported initiative aimed at addressing land degradation, improving agricultural productivity, and building climate resilience in Nigeria’s semi-arid regions.
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