Minister of State, FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has reaffirmed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s support for the Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project in the Territory.

Dr. Mahmoud , who is also the Chairperson of the FCT ACReSAL Steering Committee, gave this assurance during a visit of the World Bank Task Team of the ACReSAL Project led by Dr. Joy Iganya Agene.

The Minister emphasized the crucial role of the ACReSAL project in tackling environmental challenges amplified by developmental activities and a growing population in the FCT. She praised the project as a testament to the strong partnership between the World Bank and the FCT Administration aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and agricultural development for the residents of the FCT.

Highlighting the notable progress of the ACReSAL project, which benefits the FCT and 19 Northern states, Dr. Mahmoud expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s innovative programmes and acknowledged the vital contributions of the Federal Project Monitoring Unit (FPMU) in providing guidance to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) of the FCT towards achieving its goals.

Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the ACReSAL project, in her remarks disclosed that Bank had disbursed the sum of $2 million to the FCT, after meeting all the criteria.

She also informed the Minister about the potential to access additional funding which is hinged on having a Catchment Management Plan (CMP), Environmental Social Management Plan (ESMP), and engineering designs for the various interventions in place for the FCT to move to tier two of the project, thus qualifying it to access the funds.

She further emphasized the need to put a plan in place to address large-scale deforestation in the FCT.

Dr. Agene commended the rapid progress made by the FCT, attributing it to the effective leadership in the FCT and the capacity of the PIU members.

In his welcome address, Lawan Kolo Geidam, the Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat and Chairman, FCT ACReSAL Technical Committee, noted that the visit was essential for strengthening institutional collaboration and ensuring smooth project implementation.

He pointed out that robust frameworks such as the active engagement within communities in the 6 Area Councils and the establishment various committees had been set up by the FCT Administration for the implementation of the Project

On his part, Mr. Abdulhamid Umar , the National Project Coordinator,s ACReSAL Project, lauded the significant strides made by the FCT suggesting a bright future for the FCT in the areas of efficient land and watershed management practices.