Abuja: The Executive Director of the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), Dr. Abdulmumin Aminu-Zaria, has described the Marketplace project of Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) as a pivotal hub for the development and transformation of Nigerian lives.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this statement was made at the ACReSAL Market Place Project event themed “Greening the Environment, Saving Lives.” The program served as a platform for stakeholder engagement, bringing together entities like the World Bank, Federal Ministries of Water Resources and Sanitation, Agriculture and Food Security, Environment, and other relevant stakeholders.
Aminu-Zaria highlighted the significant support received from the ACReSAL project, which has profoundly impacted two main operational areas. Firstly, the development of 20 Strategic Catchment Management Plans (CMPs) for the five Northern Hydrological Areas of Nigeria was emphasized. These CMPs provide frameworks for sustainable water resource management, addressing local needs and environmental challenges.
Secondly, the creation of a dedicated Hydrological Modelling Centre was noted as having greatly enhanced analytical capabilities. This center facilitates the simulation of various hydrological scenarios, essential for making informed decisions concerning resource allocation, flood management, and drought mitigation.
He further explained that these initiatives have strengthened the institutional capacity to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) practices. The partnership between NIWRMC and ACReSAL has improved water governance, encouraging collaboration among stakeholders and promoting sustainable development in catchment areas.
Aminu-Zaria underlined the importance of these efforts in paving the way for a more resilient water management system, ensuring equitable access to water resources and environmental preservation for future generations. He expressed the Commission’s appreciation for the partnership with ACReSAL and its role in advancing IWRM, climate adaptation, and livelihood improvement. The commitment to translating these initiatives into sustainable benefits for both the environment and the people of Nigeria was reaffirmed.