Abuja: The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) says its marketplace for ACReSAL project recorded and delivered huge investment through land restoration. Dr Joy Agene, Senior Environmental Specialist, World Bank and Task Team Leader, ACReSAL, said this at the ACReSAL Marketplace showcase in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the marketplace for ACReSAL is where a substantial investment is saving millions of land in targeted watersheds. ‘Marketplace is also a technology where water is conserved in dryland to ensure that we are able to produce, sell and make income,’ Agene explained.
Similarly, Mrs Ellysar Baroudy, Practice Manager, Environment, World Bank, expressed satisfaction with the project, stating it had been an example within the World Bank portfolio. She acknowledged the challenges of climate change, degradation, and finance, urging ACReSAL to remain resolute despite these challenges.
In the same vein, Mr Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator, ACReSAL, emphasized that the project is people-oriented and aims to sustain livelihoods. He noted that the project had positively impacted numerous lives, particularly in underserved communities.
Dr Segun Babarinde, Director Water Support Services, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, highlighted the collaborative effort among stakeholders showcased by the ACReSAL marketplace. He thanked all the states for their determination in achieving the government’s vision.
Mr George Stanley, Director, International Economic Relations Department, Ministry of Finance, confirmed that the project had delivered on various aspects of environment, agriculture, and water resources. He remarked that the project has improved community resilience and livelihoods through well-implemented interventions by institutional partners.
Additionally, Mr Luka Ayedo, Etsu Kwali, noted the intervention of the marketplace project was already yielding positive results, stating, ‘The project has come to terminate hunger in our community. The intervention has impacted us for good and I want to say the World Bank has invested rightly.’