The Bauchi State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has made significant strides in supporting and uplifting the livelihoods of people with disabilities through Green Businesses in the state.
The State Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, Dr. Ibrahim Kabir, disclosed these plans during an interactive meeting with the State Agency for People with Disabilities in his office on Monday.
He stated that ACReSAL aims to establish well-equipped skill acquisition centers and rehabilitate existing ones across the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State, providing the physically challenged with a sense of belonging.
Describing the initiative as one of ACReSAL’s best projects, Dr. Kabir emphasized its potential to transform the lives of marginalized communities involved in Green Businesses. He committed to exploring all avenues to support these individuals.
Dr. Kabir also noted that the ACReSAL project, which has already made substantial progress in combating the effects of climate change in the state, is now focusing on including the most marginalized and vulnerable members of society. This inclusion will enable them to contribute to addressing environmental challenges such as deforestation, drought, water flooding, and the broader impacts of climate change.
He added that Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed has endorsed the idea of establishing dedicated centers for people with disabilities, along with a sustainability model to ensure the longevity of this laudable initiative.
According to Dr. Kabir, the ACReSAL project aims to be a cornerstone for reviving the livelihoods of people with disabilities in the state. The project will provide essential facilities and resources to help these individuals feel more included in society. He assured that the intervention would be tailored to address different types of disabilities, ensuring that no one is left behind, and directed the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) officers to commence implementation.
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In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of the State Agency for People with Disabilities, Mrs. Brica Joram Aaron, highlighted that the partnership with Bauchi ACReSAL marks a significant milestone for the agency.
Mrs. Aaron noted that her agency is responsible for catering to people with disabilities, adding that Bauchi is the only state in the Northeast with an agency for the physically challenged. So far, the agency has identified 31,000 people with disabilities across the state.
The Executive Secretary praised Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed for his dedication to the welfare of his people and appreciated the efforts of the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) in mitigating the effects of climate change and positively impacting the lives of the people. She called for further collaboration.
Additionally, the agency requested rigorous sensitization efforts and a field visit to existing centers to assess their level of dilapidation for possible rehabilitation. Bauchi ACReSAL assured that these efforts would be undertaken.
In his comments, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on ACReSAL, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar Barde (Bunun Duguri), reiterated the current administration’s commitment to uplifting the lives of the people. He commended the inclusive nature of the initiative and the symbiotic relationship between Bauchi ACReSAL and the Agency for People with Disabilities, assuring his support in making this initiative a reality.
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