World Bank, FPMU, and FAO Validation Team Visits to Gombe

A high-level delegation from the World Bank, the ACReSAL Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has visited Gombe State to validate ongoing land restoration efforts through tree planting initiatives.

The team, which included Andrew Mwuli Segla (World Bank Operations Officer), Cyril Bikun, Musa Shuaibu, Karima Sale, Dr. Abgesor Precious, and Ruth Oghale, toured FAO-supported sites in Funakaye, Yamaltu-Deba, and Gombe Local Government Areas.

During the inspection, the delegation observed challenges including high plant mortality, low survival rates due to water scarcity, stray-animal interference, and limited participation by women in the project. They recommended stronger monitoring and supervision by the Gombe State ACReSAL team, alongside the establishment of women’s Community Interest Groups (CIGs) to ensure sustainability.

Responding to the observations, Dr. Sani Adamu Jauro, Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the visiting team and assured them that corrective measures would be taken.

He emphasized that replanting activities would be optimized during the rainy season to improve survival rates in affected areas.

FAO reaffirmed its commitment to providing technical support for the project, which aims to restore degraded land and empower local communities across Gombe State.