The Kogi State Government has disbursed N3 billion to 2,381 direct beneficiaries across 170 groups in 80 communities affected by climate change.
The funds, provided under the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) as part of the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, aim to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve food security. The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the World Bank, targets communities across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking during the cheque presentation ceremony in Lokoja, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo reiterated his administration’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for the success of the ACReSAL project. The governor highlighted the alignment of the initiative with the state’s sustainable landscape management agenda and emphasized its importance in building climate resilience.
Governor Ododo also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to advance sustainable agricultural development and improve the welfare of families across the nation.
The Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management, Engineer Joseph Oluwasegun, lauded the project’s potential to position Kogi as a model for food security and sufficiency in Nigeria. He urged beneficiaries to manage the funds judiciously, ensuring that more members of their communities could benefit from the initiative in the future.
Barrister Ladi Ahmed Jatto, the State Coordinator of ACReSAL, described the Community Revolving Fund as an interest-free investment initiative designed to promote sustainable agricultural practices in climate-impacted communities.
She noted that the first phase of the project, launched in June 2024, had demonstrated effective fund utilization, which earned the World Bank Task Team’s approval for the second phase. She urged beneficiaries to treat the fund responsibly, emphasizing its sustainability depends on diligent repayment.
Governor Ododo commended the stakeholders involved in the project and assured continued government support. He called on beneficiaries to demonstrate accountability and use the revolving fund as a model for sustainable community development.
The CRF initiative represents a collaborative effort between the Kogi State Government and international partners to enhance resilience in semi-arid regions, providing a blueprint for other states to follow.
By Dare Akogun
