The Nigerian government on Wednesday, endorsed the World Bank-funded Agro-Climatic Resilience in the Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) strategic catchment management plan.
At a stakeholders forum in the country’s capital, Abuja, the endorsement of the Strategic Catchment Management Plan (SCMP) took a vital step in progression of the six-year project, sponsored by the World Bank.
Last Monday, a technical session on the presentation and finalisation of the first phase of the developed Strategic Catchment Management Plans for ACReSAL states was held, where stakeholders met to authenticate data collected during consultations.
The plan focuses on the Hadejia-Jama’are catchment areas of Jigawa and Bauchi states respectively, and is in line to address climate change problems, thereby, enhancing sustainable land and water management.
Describing the strategic catchments plan as a paradigm shift from the development of the country, “beyond state political boundaries and in consideration of its shared resources, heritage, responsibilities, and gains”, Environment Minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal said they mark a new frontier of economic development and environmental sustainability.
“These frontiers may become the new economic zones for its constituent people, hence, the need for the states to develop ways to best manage not only the resources but, the challenges”, he said.
Mr. Lawal revealed that the development of the 20 strategic catchment or watershed management plans is the bedrock for the implementation of the ACReSAL Project and added that it would be a foundation for another set of 200 micro catchment management plans from the 19 ACReSAL participating states and the FCT “to dovetail into”.
“These micro catchment management plans would be developed by ACReSAL at state project management units, under the guidance of the Governors of the 19 ACReSAL States and the Honourable Minister of the FCT”, the Minister said.
Also, while endorsing the project, Water Resources and Sanitation Minister emphasised on the scientific and community-driven foundation of the SCMP.
Prof. Joseph Utsev said a key strength of the Strategic Catchment Plan is its emphasis on adaptive management, flexibility and responsiveness in adapting to emerging challenges.
“This is crucial in an era defined by rapid change, whether it be climate fluctuations, population shifts, or technological advancements”, he stated.
“This plan is rooted in science-based research and community feedback. It prioritizes watershed protection, water quality enhancement, and habitat restoration, creating a legacy for future generations.“Let us come together as advocates—champions for our environment, our economy, and our community’s future”, Prof. Utsev enumerated.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Sabi Aliyu Abdullah commended ACReSAL, led by its National Project Coordinator (NPC), Abdulhamid Umar for “tirelessly working to get to this significant milestone, a testament to our shared commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, combating desertification, and fostering resilience in the face of climate change”.
He said through sustainable land and water management practices, thousands of hectares of degraded land have been reclaimed, ensuring productivity.
Sen. Aliyu, while revealing that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is leveraging on ACReSAL to develop a climate-smart agriculture manual that will equip farmers with the tools and knowledge in adapting to changing weather patterns while maintaining productivity, he said the success of ACReSAL has been its emphasis on collaboration.
“By fostering partnerships among federal, state, and local governments, including non-governmental organizations, international partners and community residents, the project has ensured a holistic approach to tackling agro-climatic challenges”, he said.
He called for a collective vision of a resilient and food-secure society.
Gombe state Governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya affirmed that the Strategic Catchment Management Plan is pivotal in curbing the effects of water scarcity, drought, and general land degradation.
Representing the Northern Governors Forum, where he leads as the chairman, he expressed commitment to an effective implementation of the SCMP, something he described as an “integrated plan”, as the operating framework for projects across the participating states.On the challenges faced by the north, he said the region is still endowed with substantial water resources, including rivers, inland lakes, and dams.
“These resources have significant irrigation potential that can be harnessed for all-year-round agricultural production by our local farmers through the application of the Strategic Catchment Management Plan”, he stated.
He said with the support of ACReSAL, Gombe state has planted over 4 million trees over the past four years, through its flagship programme, ‘Gombe Goes Green’.
Mr. Inuwa Yahaya further commended the ACReSAL project for contributing to a healthy and eco-friendly environment for human habitation, through dryland management practices, which include gully stabilization, bioremediation, and afforestation activities.
ACReSAL’s Task Team Lead, said the Strategic Catchment Management Plan provides the platform for implementation of activities that will aid climate resilience.
Dr. Joy Iganya, while acknowledging that Nigeria and Africa as a whole, has suffered from challenges caused by climate change, she said the ACReSAL project is meant to provide support on how people can be resilient to climate change.
The NPC, ACReSAL, Abdulhamid Umar, expressed optimism in the significant progress made in addressing catchment management challenges across 19 participating states in the country.Umar described the validation event as a hallmark in the delivery of the ACReSAL project.
“(This event) marks the need to address issues surrounding the definition and delineation of the catchment areas by the Federal Government of Nigeria is necessary,” he said. While highlighting the extensive stakeholder engagement that has so far produced success of the project, he noted that it reflects the demands of rural dwellers.
“Stakeholders gathered for seven days in faraway Kano, where we listened attentively to the needs and demands of the catchment areas,” Umar explained.
“This effort is the largest with the highest magnitude of coverage and comprehensiveness,” he added.
Wednesday’s gathering also brought together governors , representatives, traditional rulers of participating states, highlighting progress made.