Gombe State Government has paid N503 million as counterpart funding for the implementation of the World Bank-assisted Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project.
The project aimed at checking erosion, among other climatic problems.
Governor Inuwa Yahaya said at the launch of the project yesterday that payment of the counterpart fund showed the state government’s commitment to strengthening climate resilience.
He said the state was the most erosion-impacted in the northern parts of Nigeria as it had no fewer than 200 active gullies.
He also said Gombe is among the states most affected by environmental challenges due to its unique geographical location.
He noted that the environmental challenges had adverse effects on agricultural productivity, natural resources and the general livelihood of the people.
“Incessant flooding, erratic rainfall patterns, desert encroachment and diminishing arable lands have taken their tolls on the livelihood of our farmers and communities”, the governor said.
Yahaha added that through interventions such as ACReSAL, government was determined to entrench environmental accountability and sustainability and ensure cooperation, ownership and shared responsibilities in protecting the environment.
“Our major policy focus is to harness both our land and water potentialities to strengthen our comparative advantage in agriculture,’’ he said.
The governor expressed optimism that his administration’s partnership with the World Bank through the ACReSAL project would help to provide a healthy and eco-friendly environment for human habitation.
“We have acquired motorcycles and six tricycles, a boat and a drone to boost the capacity of our forestry unit for effective wildlife protection and conservation”, he said.
Dr Joy Agene of ACReSAL’s task team commended the state’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges.
Agene gave the assurance that the project would help to restore the environment and protect the livelihoods of citizens when completed
