By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)
The Bauchi State Project Management Unit (SPMU) of the Agro-climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid (ACReSAL), a World Bank supported project has sensitized members of both steering and technical committees of the project in a bid to enable them contribute positively towards its efficient and effective implementation.
In a key note address at the commencement of the sensitization in Kano, the Bauchi state project coordinator, Dr Ibrahim Kabir, said the session will afford the state project management unit, to, once again, update the knowledge of the stakeholders on their expected roles in the implementation of the World Bank supported project.
According to him, the steering committee is the apex decision-making body for sector, policy and project harmonization while the technical committee is, to, among other things, review and update annual work plan in addition to developing inter-sectoral MoUs, if needed.
“I am highly delighted to welcome you to this very important engagement. This forum is, to, once again, brief our project stakeholders on the activities designed to be implemented by the SPMU and the expected roles of different committees to play in ensuring effective service delivery.
“In our work plan, we have planned tree plantation in 10 tertiary institutions across the state, dams construction, rehabilitation and expansion, 40 kilometers roadside tree plantation. The ACReSAL project which has six years implementation period, is targeted at impacting on the livelihood of more than three million people in the targeted communities.”
Dr Ibrahim Kabir added that, the ACReSAL projects will intervene in massive Tree planting, Irrigation Farming, Agro-Forestry, Green House Farming, Plant Nursery Development Units, farm produce Processing Centres and Integrated Solar- Powered Borehole schemes across all the local government areas in the state.
The project coordinator used the medium to appreciate Governor Bala Mohammed for the commitment demonstrated in meeting the requirements of accessing the ACReSAL funds and recalled that decision for the state to participate in ACReSAL project was an added effort at tackling disasters and natural emergencies through the implementation of a number of multi-sectoral initiatives.
Participants at the sensitization, while describing the engagement as timely, observed that it will go a long way in enhancing their understanding and participation in the implementation of the project. NNL.
