The Task Team Leader of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes – ACReSAL Project, Dr. Joy Agene Iganya has solicited support of the Emir of Hadejia, Alh. Adamu Abubakar Maje in the implementation of the project to tackle various environmental challenges.
Dr. Joy made the plea when she led a team from the World Bank, ACReSAL national office and state project implementation units on a courtesy call to the Emir in his palace in Hadejia.
The visit was part of the ACReSAL joint World Bank and Federal Government Hybrid Implementation Support Mission taking place in Kano.
She called on the Emir to ask his people to be part of the watershed planning and entire project implementation.
The Team Leader said they had inspected the villages affected by the incessant flooding of the Hadejia – Jama’are river leading to loss of lives, properties and land assets, adding that the Project would work with the states affected to provide a lasting solution.
Dr. Joy assured that the project would take an integrated approach to improve the Hadejia Nguru wetland, which is a habitat for species of animals and trees and enhance its capacity for flood protection, water quality, erosion control, and recreation.
She advised stakeholders to embark on more research and knowledge sharing to tackle the adverse effect of Typha grass on farming activities.
In a remark, the acting National Project Coordinator of the ACReSAL, Engr. Anda Ayuba Yalaks said the components of project will support agriculture, water management, environmental protection and livelihood enhancement.
Also making a remark, Mr. Nagaraja Rao Harshadeep who is the World Bank’s Global Lead on Technology and Catchment Management said the project hoped to be a pioneer in terms use of technologies at different levels of activities, stressing that the project will make a decent foundation of addressing issues of poverty, flooding and wetlands amongst the participating states by having a watershed management plan.
Earlier in his remarks, the Emir of Hadejia, Alh. Adamu Abubakar Maje commended the World Bank, the federal and state governments for initiating the ACReSAL project and promised to support its implementation.
