Sokoto State Governor,Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, announced plans to replenish 19 million cubic meters of water inLugu Dam to support agriculture. This was revealed during a Stakeholders forum organized by the State-Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, in partnership with the ministries of Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources of Sokoto State. Additionally, Governor Aliyu outlined initiatives to rehabilitate 1,300 hectares of irrigable land in Wurno Local Government Area, benefiting numerous N1 billion as counterpart funds encroachment. Dr. Aluyi emphasized the positive impact of the state’s investment, noting significant improvements.
“Our past collaborations have impacted positively on target beneficiaries, and it is our hope that going forward, we would expand access to portable water, and irrigation to boost agricultureal production especially in rural areas.
The ACReSAL project aims to address environmental degradation, enhance water accessibility, bolster food security, and generate employment opportunities for youth in the state. The Governor highlighted the government’s dedication by mobilizing and training over 800 individuals, including youth, in Grievance Redress Mechanism and Business Management for Community Interest Group (CIGs). Additionally, more than 3,000 people have been engaged and educated about the project, with ongoing efforts to establish a 40km shelter-belt in Wurno LGA. This initiative aims to protect farmlands and communities from wind damage across nine areas in Wurno, mitigating potential destruction.
“We also established a 500Ha Forest Enrishment Plantation in Wurno LGA, designed to improve the vegetation cover and alleviate sheet and rill erosion that threatens the fertile Fadama land in Wurno catchment. This work will ensure that the irrigation activities in Wurno and surrounding areas continue unhindered.”
He emphasized that the state has established a 7000-hectare Agro Forestry initiative with Moringa Oleifara trees, aiming to enhance food security for beneficiary communities spanning 23 areas and benefiting over 40,000 individuals directly and indirectly. Highlighting Moringa’s medicinal as a high-value tree crop, encouraging replication by farmers elsewhere and ensuringthe sustainability of such interventions.
Dr. Aliyu appealed to the World Bank for streaming procurement processes, believing this would incentivize more agencies to collaborate on the state’s development. He expressed gratitude to both the World Bank and the Federal Government for including Sokoto State in the project.
In response, Ms. Lia Sieghart, Practice Manager of the World Bank for Environment, Natural Resources, and Blue Economy-West Africa, expressed the World Bank’s concern about climate change’s impact in Nigeria. She clarified that the project targets nineteen northern states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with a six-year timeframe. Seeking cooperation from both state and federal governments, she emphasized the importance of full project implementation.
In addition, the National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, expressed appreciation to the Sokoto State Government for fulfiling its obligation by contributing its Counterpart Fund. He highlighted ACReSAL’s intention to collaborate with pertinent Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for effective policy implementation.
Mr.Umar commended the World Bank for its collaboration with ACReSAL in combatting environmental degradation and supporting agricultural productivity in Northern Nigeria. The ACReSAL teamconducted visits to the Wurno Shelto belt at Achida and the Lugu Dam in Wurno local government area of the state.