As the Pre-MTR Mission entered its subsequent sessions, discussions shifted toward deepening institutional coordination, strengthening monitoring systems, and ensuring that the successes recorded so far translate into long-term sustainability across all participating states.
Focus on Strengthening Institutional Structures
The World Bank team stressed the importance of solidifying institutional arrangements at both the state and federal levels. This includes improving the functionality of State Project Management Units (SPMUs), enhancing procurement efficiency, and accelerating the deployment of technical specialists to priority catchments.
A renewed call was made for states to intensify inter-ministerial collaboration, particularly among the Environment, Agriculture, and Water Resources ministries. This, the team emphasized, is essential for achieving the project’s integrated catchment management goals.
Data, Evidence, and the Role of the Geo-Portal
A dedicated technical session highlighted the need for stronger and more coherent data systems to guide planning, track impact, and improve transparency.
States were urged to fully utilize the ACReSAL Geo-Portal, a centralized platform for storing and visualizing spatial and non-spatial data. The platform is designed to assist states in monitoring interventions such as:
• Watershed rehabilitation
• Erosion control structures
• Water harvesting technologies
• Land restoration footprints
• Community-driven resilience initiatives
The World Bank team emphasized that robust data collection and consistent reporting would be a major focal point during the upcoming full Mid-Term Review.
Environmental and Social Safeguards: A Critical Pillar
The next segment of the mission focused on environmental and social safeguards, where states were reminded that compliance is not merely procedural but fundamental to project integrity and alignment with global climate and environmental standards.
Key areas of emphasis included:
• Proper screening of all subprojects
• Documentation of environmental and social mitigation measures
• Community engagement and grievance redress
• Gender inclusion in planning and implementation
The safeguards specialists commended states that demonstrated strong adherence but urged others to close identified gaps ahead of the MTR.
Financial Performance and Disbursement Acceleration
Financial management sessions revealed notable progress in disbursements, though the World Bank encouraged states to strengthen internal controls and fast-track key procurement activities.
Discussions included:
• Transparent financial reporting
• Timely submission of Interim Financial Reports (IFRs)
• Alignment of expenditures with project components
• Eliminating bottlenecks that delay state-level implementation
The mission also provided technical guidance to help states improve projections for the next disbursement cycle.
Technical Clinics and State-Specific Advisory Sessions
To ensure hands-on guidance, the World Bank team organized technical clinics where states received tailored advice based on their unique environmental conditions and catchment challenges. These sessions enabled states to:
• Refine their Strategic Catchment Management Plans
• Improve intervention targeting
• Address gaps in their land restoration and water resource strategies
• Optimize the design and layout of climate-resilient infrastructure
Several states highlighted how previous mission feedback had already helped them optimize their ongoing activities.
Cross-State Learning and Replication of Best Practices
The mission further encouraged states to adopt proven best practices demonstrated by high-performing states like Plateau, Katsina, and Kebbi. Examples included community-led watershed protection models, women-led livelihood initiatives, advanced water harvesting technologies, and scalable agroforestry practices.
The collaborative atmosphere ensured states could learn from each other’s innovations and adapt successful interventions to their local contexts.
Looking Ahead to the Full MTR
As the Hybrid Pre-MTR Mission concluded, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to delivering a transformational Mid-Term Review that captures:
• Evidence-based progress
• Lessons learned
• Policy implications
• Strategic adjustments
• A redefined roadmap for the remaining project years
The full MTR is expected to consolidate all findings, validate targets, and provide clearer directions that will drive ACReSAL toward achieving its overarching environmental, social, and economic resilience objectives.
