The World Bank, Federal and Kwara state governments have entered into tripartite partnership to tackle challenges of water resources, agriculture and land reclamation due to ecological factors in some parts of Kwara state.
Speaking during a tour of Eruda, Ojaiya/Ita-Amodu erosion control projects, and Asa Dam water treatment plant in Ilorin, a team of experts from the World Bank, Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) and members of the state executive council, led by Mallam Abdulhameed Umar said that the state stands to benefit out of $700million borrowed loan for land reclamation.
According to the national project coordinator of the ACReSAL, Mallam Abdulhameed Umar, the team is committed to the theme of the first intervention visitation in the state; “Acceleration of ACReSAL projects’ implementation in Kwara state”.
He said the project is funded by the World Bank wherein the federal government through the ministry of finance borrowed $700million to situate and resolve issues of environment, agriculture, and water.
Mallam Umar explained the nineteen (19) northern states and Abuja are privileged to assess the fund to tackle issues brought about by ecological effects, climate change, and land degradation”.
He noted that each northern state and Abuja will benefit from the fund after payment of counterpart fund.
Mallam Umar said the project is aimed at addressing issue of poverty among the poor people in rural areas.
In a remark ,the state Environment commissioner and the state steering committee chairman of the programme,( ACReSAL), Shehu Ndanusa Usman, lamented that majority of land mass in the country is being eroded due to ecological problems, deforestation and over grazing.
He said that the state government is committed to ensure that the partnership works for the benefit of the people of Kwara state.
Report by ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
