ACReSAL Kicks Off Stakeholders Engagement for the Development of Strategic Catchment Management Plans in Sokoto-Zamfara, Rima, and Golbin-Ka

The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has kicked off a stakeholder engagement for the development of Strategic Catchment Management Plans (SCMPs) in Sokoto-Zamfara, Rima, and Golbin-Ka.

The event, which started at the Army Officers Mess and Suits in Sokoto, Sokoto State on 10/02/2025 brought together government and community stakeholders to develop three strategic catchment management plans.

According to Abdulhamid Umar, National Project Coordinator of ACReSAL, stakeholder inputs are crucial for developing bankable management plans for sustainable investments at the community level.

The SCMPs are a critical component of the ACReSAL project, aiming to identify intervention areas, assess resources, threats and challenges, opportunities and provide a strategic approach to managing catchments for the benefit of local communities.

The ACReSAL Project , he said plans to develop 20 SCMPs covering 19 implementing states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in northern Nigeria. So far, six plans have been developed, including Wase-Taraba, Shemankar-Katsina-Ala, and Hadejia-Jama’are. Additionally, the project plans to develop 200 micro catchment management plans to focus on smaller catchments, which will dovetail into the larger strategic catchments.

Umar stressed that sustainable catchment management is crucial for tackling environmental challenges and promoting livelihoods, as it helps conserve water resources, reduce land degradation, and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

In his keynote address, Hon. Nura Shehu, Commissioner for Environment in Sokoto State and Chairman of the State Steering Committee for ACReSAL, emphasized the importance of stakeholders’ engagement in developing strategic catchment management plans.

He highlighted that stakeholders’ input is crucial in creating a shared vision for an ideal catchment, which should promote peace, take into account opportunities and challenges, and be incorporated into the catchment management plan.

The Commissioner expressed gratitude for the World Bank’s guidance and the Federal Government of Nigeria’s support for the ACReSAL Project, recognizing their significant role in the project’s success.

He encouraged stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to the document, ensuring their concerns are addressed and integrated into the plan, leading to a more effective and sustainable catchment management system.

The World Bank Representative, Andrew Seglah, expressed the World Bank’s honor in supporting the stakeholders’ engagement on the Sokoto-Zamfara, Rima, and Golbin-Ka Strategic Catchment Management Plans.

Seglah emphasized that the World Bank recognizes the significance of sustainable catchment management in addressing environmental challenges, promoting livelihoods, and enhancing resilience to climate change.

He commended the Federal Government of Nigeria and the ACReSAL Project team for their efforts in driving the initiative forward, stating that the World Bank is proud to support the project.

The development of strategic catchment management plans will greatly contribute to achieving the project’s objectives and improving the lives of communities in the target areas. By engaging stakeholders, ACReSAL is poised to make a significant impact on the lives of communities in northern Nigeria, promoting sustainable development and environmental resilience for generations to come.