By Philip Yatai
World Bank-supported Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project said it has disbursed 250,000 dollars (383.25 million naira) to 10 communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as Community Revolving Fund (CRF).
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, FCT Minister of State, said during the disbursement in Abuja on Tuesday, that each of the 10 communities received 25,000 dollars (38.33 million naira).
Mahmoud explained that the 10 benefitting communities qualified for the pilot stage of the CRF through their respective Community Revolving Fund Management Committees.
The pilot communities were Dafa, Gbako, Sheda, Pukafa, Ike, Tekpese, Wako, Ashara, Gbawuji, and Rugan Bature.
She said CRF was a pivotal aspect of the ACReSAL Project provided at zero interest rates.
She urged the benefiting community to utilize the funds wisely and responsibly to enhance their socio-economic well-being, improve their livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the development of their respective communities.
She explained that Component B of the project focuses on bolstering agro-climatic resilience at community and household levels.
This, she said, was being done by promoting locally and adapted sustainable land and water management strategies, through climate-smart approaches to agriculture and natural resource management.
The minister said that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s strategic efforts to combat the escalating food crisis in the country.
It further reflects the FCT Administration’s dedication to uplifting the lives of the most vulnerable groups, thereby fostering a more equitable and resilient FCT,” she said.
The minister also distributed 60 solar-powered water pumping machines to Community Interest Groups (CIGs) and 30 motorcycles to the FCT Forest Guards.
She also distributed a water tanker and a multipurpose truck to support climate-smart irrigation framing and reforestation efforts of the FCT Administration.
She expressed the administration’s gratitude to the World Bank for their invaluable support and partnership through the ACReSAL project.
Mahmoud further affirmed that the administration’s commitment to enhancing the lives of residents and creating a vibrant, thriving city, is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Earlier, Mr Lawan Geidam, Mandate Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, had explained that CRF aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience and promoting sustainable practices among targeted groups in identified watersheds.
Geidam added that the fund was designed to empower local communities by providing them with the financial resources necessary to implement innovative and adaptive strategies.
“This is crucial for improving agricultural productivity, ensuring food security,y and ultimately enhancing people’s livelihoods and community growth,” he said.
He gave an assurance of the secretariat’s commitment to ensuring the effective and prudent application of the funds for the intended purposes.
He said the project in the FCT was already yielding the desired results.
He particularly said that the project had significantly led to advancements in the reforestation of degraded forest reserves in Buja and Kujekwa.
Other areas of achievements, according to him, included the planting of a 160-kilometre shelter belt from Zuba to Giri junction, down to Abaji, as well as the fencing and protection of FCT forest plantations.
“The project has significantly enhanced the lives of our community members by providing over 41 solar-powered boreholes and 270 stand-alone solar lights.
“Similarly, the project has strengthened support for climate-smart agriculture, especially during the dry season, with the construction of over 60 tubewells,” he added. (NAN)S
Source: PM News
