The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in Kaduna State has activated a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) ahead of erosion control works in Rigasa, Kawo and Zaria.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Abubakar Buba, announced the development on Tuesday in Kaduna during a one day capacity building on resettlement action plan implementation. Represented by the Director of Environment and Pollution Control, Yusuf Mu’azu, Buba said the move signaled the state’s transition from consultations to full safeguards implementation before civil works begin.
He explained that the three intervention sites were selected from over 242 identified ecological challenge locations, based on urgency and potential impact.
National Project Coordinator Abdulhamid Umar described the activation as a major milestone. Represented by Attahiru Abdulkareen of the Federal Project Management Unit, Umar said Kaduna’s decision to operationalise three corridors simultaneously placed it ahead of other states participating in the 20-state ACReSAL programme.
He urged field teams to commence data collection immediately and remain on site, warning residents against indiscriminate waste disposal in rehabilitated channels.
In her remarks the Kaduna State ACReSAL Project Coordinator Hadiza I Halid Esq stated that the project aims was to restore degraded landscapes, reduce erosion risks, improve water flow and boost agricultural productivity.
The District Head of Kawo, Jibrin Magaji,
welcomed the initiative and pledged community support.
