Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has said that most of the environmental challenges faced by communities across the state were as a result of man-made activities which in turn affect them negatively.
The Governor said this when the World Bank Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL) Team on arrival to Bauchi, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in order to brief him on the purpose of the visit to the state.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, said that such acts are unfortunate and the Team’s visit will harness the mitigative measures to save lives and the environment.
He expressed his delight for the visit and remained optimistic that the team’s visit will enhance adoption of the project in the state.
Governor Bala Mohammed then welcomed the team to Bauchi for a follow-up technical support mission which he said marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts of the state government towards the rapid development of the state.
Commissioner for Environment and Housing, Rt. Hon. Dallami Ahmed Kawule, who is the Chairman of the Steering Committee of ACReSAL Project in Bauchi State, said that the project will touch on many Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of his Ministry and other related MDAs to work with the Team towards ensuring the set objectives of the project in the state.
Earlier, the State Project Coordinator, Dr Ibrahim Kabir, gave an overview of the project and the progress so far, introduced the team to the Deputy Governor and assured their capacity to support Bauchi in achieving its proposed intervention projects which are targeted towards mitigating the effects of climate change and other environmental challenges affecting the entire state.
The State Project Coordinator (SPC) noted that all is now set for people of the state to begin enjoying the dividends of Democracy under the ACReSAL Project.
He said the project has since captured many communities that are lacking basic amenities of standard living, enjoining the people of the state to continue to support the administration in its efforts to develop the state.
While at the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) during a session with the delegation, the SPC also made an overview on the activities achieved so far by the SPMU and the team were excited with the display of professionalism, saying this will ease their work for the mission and advised the SPMU to continue moving in that direction.
In his remarks, the Team Lead of the ACReSAL delegation, Mr Joseph Abang, said they are in Bauchi State to meet with the State Project Management Unit to develop quick-win activities and to also assist them in taking necessary steps in the project implementation.
The team lead added that they will assist the SPMU to develop an effective Catchment Management Plan (CMP) which will help to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the communities and to also interface with the communities towards ensuring buy-in of the project, ownership and sustainability.
He assured that people of the state will soon start benefiting from the World Bank assisted Project aimed at addressing many developmental challenges facing them especially at the grassroots.
He then commended the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for the timely payment of the State’s counterpart funds for the Project which has positively influenced its immediate implementation.
Other members of the team who spoke during the interactions commended Bauchi ACReSAL for the teamwork and commended the team for social inclusion in carrying out its activities saying this will go a long way in solving both environment and social livelihood issues.
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