Risk Management Key To Successful Project Delivery – Kogi ACReSAL Coordinator

The Project Coordinator of the Kogi State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Mrs. Ladi Ahmed Jatto, has identified risk management as a core component of project implementation, stressing that adherence to Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP) and Occupational Health Safety (OHS) standards remains the backbone of successful project delivery.

Jatto stated this while receiving the World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguards team, led by Mr. Lucky Erhaze and Mr. Elijah Siakpere, during a two-day handholding mission to project sites in the state.

Highlighting the devastating effects of uncontrolled gully erosion in the state, the Project Coordinator identified storm water run-off from rocky hills in Okene, poor waste management practices, and inadequate drainage systems as the major causes of environmental degradation in the affected communities.

She expressed gratitude to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his unwavering support and passion for environmental protection, which has provided the enabling environment for smooth project execution.

She also commended the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Mr. Joseph Oluwasegun, for his consistent backing, noting that his efforts had been critical to ensuring that implementation challenges are minimized.

Jatto assured that the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) would continue to uphold strict supervision and monitoring of contractors activities to safeguard lives, protect investments, and guarantee project success.

“Environmental protection is not just about structures but about ensuring safety, sustainability, and resilience for our communities. We will continue to raise the bar in project execution through teamwork, compliance, and risk management,” she affirmed.

The World Bank team during the visit, stressed the need for consistent enforcement of risk management measures, which they described as essential for sustainability.

The team also commended contractors for maintaining clean and well-organized sites and for ensuring workers’ compliance with the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The World Bank team visited the Etahi Gully Stabilization Site in Okene and the Omigbo Water Channelization Project in Kabba, where they carried out an assessment of safety standards and site compliance.

Ajifa Ainoko, Edited By Grace Namiji