The World Bank commended the Nasarawa State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project for its remarkable progress in implementing climate resilience and sustainable water management interventions across the state.
The commendation came during a joint technical implementation support mission led by the World Bank, ACReSAL Co-Task Team Leader (Co-TTL), Engr. Chinedu, who visited Nasarawa State to assess the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project alongside key ACReSAL interventions, particularly those relating to Water Resources.
The technical mission, accompanied by the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Muluku, the General Manager of the Nasarawa State Water Board, Dr. Kana, the Federal SPIN Project team, the Nasarawa State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Elias Gyobe Napoleon and the Nasarawa State Project team, undertook an extensive field assessment of strategic project sites across
Lafia and Doma Local Government Areas.
The mission provided an opportunity for the World Bank team to evaluate ongoing project implementation, engage directly with relevant stakeholders, identify operational challenges and offer technical guidance aimed at improving project delivery, long-term sustainability and overall impact.
Among the major sites visited was the Shinge Gully Erosion Intervention Site in Lafia, where the team assessed the progress of erosion control works. The delegation also inspected the Nasarawa State Water Board facilities in Lafia, where discussions focused on the urgent need for desilting and other critical interventions to strengthen sustainable water management across the state.
In Doma, the mission paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Andoma of Doma. Receiving the delegation on behalf of the traditional ruler, Hon. John Ogah expressed the palace’s appreciation for the ongoing ACReSAL interventions within the area. He assured the World Bank and the state project team of the traditional institution’s continued support and collaboration towards the successful implementation of all developmental initiatives.
The delegation thereafter proceeded to the Doma Dam, where comprehensive technical assessments were conducted to explore opportunities for expanded irrigation development and improved water resource utilization. The visit featured detailed engagements between the World Bank team and the management of the Water Board, with extensive discussions and clarifications aimed at strengthening knowledge sharing and ensuring the successful implementation of future interventions at the dam.
The mission concluded with an inspection of the Doma Gully Erosion Intervention Site, where the team identified implementation challenges and provided practical recommendations to enhance project quality, infrastructure durability, and environmental sustainability.
Providing a comprehensive briefing during the inspection, the Nasarawa State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr. Elias Gyobe Napoleon, highlighted the project’s achievements since inception, outlining key milestones, implementation strategies and the transformative impact of the interventions on beneficiary communities across intervention sites.
At the end of the mission, the World Bank delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress recorded by the Nasarawa State ACReSAL Project, describing the achievements as encouraging and reflective of the state’s commitment to delivering impactful climate resilience and environmental restoration initiatives.
The delegation, however, encouraged the project team to sustain the high standards of implementation while paying greater attention to infrastructure finishing, quality assurance and preventive measures that would guarantee the long-term sustainability of the interventions.
Reaffirming its partnership with the Nasarawa State Government, the World Bank assured the project of its continued technical support and collaboration to further strengthen sustainable water management, climate resilience and environmental restoration efforts across the state.
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