ACRESAL Project : FCTA Constitutes Implementation Committees

By Ekemini Ubong

Implementation Committees for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape, ACRESAL Project for the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory have been inaugurated.

Mandate Secretary, Agricultural and Rural
Development Secretariat, Mr Lawan Geidam who inaugurated the committees charged members to ensure proper implementation of the World Bank sponsored project for the benefit of communities in the FCT.

Mr Geidam stated that the FCT has met all criteria to benefit from the project.

According to him, the reason for setting up the implementation committees in the various Area Councils was to drive community participation in all ACRESAL projects.

National Project Coordinator of ACRESAL, Mr Abdulhamid Umar stated that the Federal Capital Territory and nineteen Northern States of the Country had paid a total of 11 billion Naira as counterpart funding for the project.

Mr Umar also explained that the sum of seven hundred million Dollars had been set aside for the project by the world bank.

He emphasised that the project seeks to improve soil productivity and promote the livelihood of residents of the FCT through agriculture.

Project Cordinator, FCT ACRESAL, Mrs Caroline Opara said the project is multi sectoral and would also address environmental challenges.

According to Mrs Opara,the project is community based and would provide solar borehole pumps for irrigation as well as other services and amenities.

Mr Saly Biu of the Abuja Municipal Area Council assured that all stakeholders would work tirelessly to ensure that the project is successful.

The Ona of Abaji, Dr Adamu Baba Yunusa represented by the Galadima of Abaji, Muhammad Sule said the project has the capacity to transform the economy and wellbeing of people in rural areas.

Members of the committees include heads of agriculture in the area councils, traditional rulers while the Chairman of Area Councils will chair the committee.

Edited By Grace Namiji