A team comprising the World Bank and Federal Government have commenced a hybrid parallel implementation Support Mission on the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).

According to Dr. Joy I. Agene, the Task Team Leader of the ACReSAL Project, the objective of the mission is to assess overall project implementation progress and to also deepen policy engagement with relevant sectors.

Speaking further, she noted that the specific objectives are to conduct a plenary session and engage with policymakers at the Federal and State Levels on the project; carry out a rapid assessment of project implementation on ground and provide guidance on the development of long-term strategy to address larger-scale projects.

More so, said that the mission will engage with State Project Management Units, Focal Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) and community members on their Catchment Management Plan (CMP) and peace building strategies.

Mr. Abdulhamid Umar, the National Project Coordinator, ACReSAL disclosed that part of the mission objective is to meet with relevant partners such as Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation (FAO) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) for support and collaboration to landscape restoration.

He disclosed that the mission will provide support to the monitoring and evaluation systems including the reporting and assess fiduciary, Environmental and Social (ESF) aspects of the project.

Mr. Umar also reported that the mission will establish clear and measurable performance metrics for each state to monitor project progress, and also meet with the Gender and Innovation lab (GIL) to ensure alignment and develop impact evaluation work plans for the community revolving fund (CRF) and digital agricultural extension studies.

The mission will include in-person meetings in Abuja and field visits to Borno, Adamawa, Ibadan, and Niger States.

The two weeks programme spanning from November 27- December 13, 2023 started today with Engineering Clinic in Abuja under the coordination of Engr. Chinedu Umolu, co-TTL ACReSAL and have in attendance project Coordinators, Engineers and Engineering firms.

While a team co-led by Task Team Leader and the National Project Coordinator are in Ibadan for an engagement with International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

Below are some pictorial highlights from the Engineering clinic.