WORLD BANK SETS TO DISBURSE FUNDS FOR ACReSAL PROJECTS IN 19 NORTHERN STATES.
FROM EMMANUEL SAMUEL, KANO
The World Bank in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, has completed arrangements to disburse a whooping sum of N700 Million US Dollars to 19 Northern State of Nigeria including Abuja FCT for the implementation of Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape {ACReSAL) in the Country.
The Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, disclosed this during the declaration of a 10 day capacity building Workshop holding at Bristol Palaee in Kano State on Wednesday on a Theme “Hybrid Implementation Support Mission”.
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government of Kano, Alhaji Usman Alhaji said that all the 19 Northern States benefiting from the project should not compromise the standard but use the great opportunity to maximize the kind gesture by providing good and quality work, adding that any beneficiary that go on sub standard work would not be given opportunity in the next disbursement.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Environment, Dr. Kabiru Ibrahim said Kano State Government was fully committed in protecting her environment and that the government had given priority to issues that had to do with environment.
“I want to assure this gathering that Kano State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency , Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is fully committed in protecting her environment.
“The government has given priority to issues that have to do with Soil conservation, restoration of degraded lands, addressing climate change issues, soil quality control decertificated land, prevention of flooding and erosion control among others”. He stated
The commissioner said other achievements by the State includes “the setting up of Kano deforestation agency by the State government, which is funded to manage borrus tree planting campaign in Kano State and the construction of water conservation center to be commissioned during the workshop”.
He said efforts are been made for the provision of erosion control measures in Dajiitob and Nasarawa with the World Bank supported Project and have planted over 2 million trees against last year while this year, 1 Million trees are also been planted.
“The State Policy Control Bill has been drafted by the Ministry and submitted to Kano State House of Assembly for further action and has now passed through the first and second reading so it’s been awaited to be passed into Law.
“Kano State government has also cued into the World Bank project that provided funds for degraded Industrial Waste Management Plants to address issues of pollution plantation in Kano State.” He said.
Meanwhile, dignitaries that graced the occasion were representatives from Word Bank, Federal Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Water resources as well as traditional rulers, stakeholders religious leaders and People from neighbouring countries.
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