Jigawa Govt, World Bank Execute N200Bn Environmental Protection, Land Restoration Projects
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
The World Bank in collaboration with Jigawa state government has executed environmental protection and land restoration projects worth N200 billion in various parts of the state.
This was disclosed by the Jigawa state commissioner of environment and climate change, Dr. Nura Ibrahim during this year’s World Desertification and Drought Day.
The event was organized by the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), supported by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
The commissioner explained that the projects were executed through Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) programme.
They include land restoration interventions, erosions control, river desiltasion, production of tree seedlings, establishment of shelter belt and roadside tree planting.
“Land restoration interventions include sand dunes stabilization in Jahun, Kiyawa and Might local government areas and ongoing gully erosion control at Kargo and an Danmasara in Dutse worth over N200 billion,” Dr Nura said.
He also listed other key interventions to include a large-scale afforestation and reforestation programme with about 5.5 million trees planted in the state’s 27 local government areas.
“Our main focus now is shifting to drought resistant economic and indigenous trees not only to restore the ecosystem but also to provide means of livelihood to the people in the state,” the commissioner said.
He further said that the government is working with partners like ACReSAL and National Agency for Great Green Wall (NGGWA) to implement engineering and vegetable solutions, protecting farmland, restoring water channels and safeguarding rural infrastructure.
“Not only to reclaim the land but also to rebuilds livelihood and provide habitats for flora and fauna, preserving ecosystem balance”.
The JISEPA Managing Director, Mr. Adamu Sabo said that the agency, in collaboration with partners like UNICEF, has embarked on public enlightenment and awareness campaign on plastic waste management and other land restoration measures.
Mr Adamu emphasis that JISEPA’s in collaboration with private organizations lunched a program where women and youth were recruited and trained in converting waste to useful products.
“Under the programme, people will collect polythene and rubber waste products to some designated collection centers for a token, where it would be recycled to make other useful products such as baskets, bags etc”.
“The project is killing two birds with one stone. Waste would be collected and make the environment clean, and recycle it to be useful and improve the people’s economy.”
