The Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, and Chairman of the FCT ACReSAL Technical Implementation Committee, Lawan Kolo Geidam has described the World Bank- assisted Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL)Project as a people-centered initiative. Geidam stated this during the visit of the World Bank-Federal Project Monitoring Unit (FPMU) Support Mission to Kwali to engage with 11communities under the Pukafa-Wako catchment of Kwali Area Council.

The Mandate Secretary who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Grace Adayilo lauded ACReSAL for laying emphasis on direct engagement with communities which she noted has ensured the project reflects the actual needs of the people.

Adaylo disclosed that the ACReSAL Project in the FCT has began to yield the expected dividends with the completion of the construction of solar-powered boreholes in 8 communities of Kwali Area Council adding that as a strategy to boost food production, the Project has procured tractors In his words ” We have procured tractors as well as completed the construction of 8 solar-powered boreholes across various communities in Kwali Area Council, In the same vein, arrangements have rexhed advanced stages to procure critical Agricultural inputs such as fertilizers Agro-chemicals and improved seedlings to assist our farmers”

He expressed optimism that with the progress that ACReSAL have been able to record especially in building the capacities of farmers in sustainable and eco-friendly management of water resources, ACReSALs objective of mitigating the impact of climate change and improving the livelihood of the communities will be realised.

In her remarks, Task Team of the World Bank ACReSAL project, Dr. Joy Agene enjoined community members to take full ownership of the project.

Agene, who was represented by , Ugonne Wunyi from the bank, pointed out that the project would fail without active support of community members.

She said: “ACReSAL is a project of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and supported by the World Bank. So, it is basically and primarily your project, and without you, we cannot not achieve it.

“So, we are craving your indulgence to actively participate and take this project as your own, so that we can get all the results that we deserve, in terms of our livelihood; in terms of our farm produce and making our environment sustainablefor the future”

On her part, the Project Coordinator in FCT, Mrs Caroline Opara , reiterated that the essence of the community engagement was to interact snd sensitise communities on the the project and how to benefit from its various interventions.

According to her: “ACReSAL is a community driven project and that is why we are here to hear from you and for you to know how to implement the project effectively in your various communities.”

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman, kwali Area Council, Honourable Danladi Chiya thanked the project implementation team, the FCTA for supporting to improve the livelihood of rural dwellers especially in the council.

Chiya, who was represented by Honourable Bala Malami, Supervisory Councillor, Agricultural Services, therefore pledged FPMUs continued support for the success of the project.

In his speech, the representative of the National Projext Coordinator (NPC) Garba Ibrahim affirmed the committment of the Federal Project Monitoring Unit FPMU) to providing the much needed guidance to the FCT ACReSAL Project Implementation Unit to ensure that their programmes are implemented to meet the Project Development Objectives of ACReSAL.

During a presentation st the engagement session Mr. Andrews Seglah from the World sensitised the communities on Community Revolving Fund( CRF), Community Interest Groups ( CIGs) Landscape Restoration and Greviance Redress Mechanism (GRM) all of which are key components on the intervention of the project.

Highpoint of the event was the engaging question and answer session, where diverse members articulated their views to foster a deeper understanding of the project.