Abuja, Nigeria – December 23, 2023: The Kogi State office of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (ACReSAL) received stellar recognition from the World Bank, achieving top marks in environmental safeguards and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) oversight, and placing second in transparency and integrity for the project’s first year.
Top Performer:
The World Bank/Federal Ministry of Environment lauded Kogi ACReSAL’s commitment to environmental protection, awarding them the ‘Best on Environmental Safeguards’ title. They further commended their exemplary performance in M&E oversight, deeming them the ‘Best in Monitoring and Evaluation.’ Additionally, Kogi ACReSAL secured the ‘Runner-up’ position for demonstrating exceptional transparency and integrity in project execution.
Recognition at Stakeholder Forum:
These accolades were announced at the World Bank’s one-day Stakeholder Engagement Forum held at the Intercontinental Hotel in Abuja. The event drew representatives from the 19 participating states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the authorizing environment.
Kogi Delegation Leads by Example:
The Kogi State team, led by Hon. Commissioner for Environment and Kogi ACReSAL State Steering Committee (SSC) Chairman, Hon. (Chief) OMOFAIYE Victor Adewale, actively participated in the forum. Joining him were co-chairmen from the Ministries of Water Resources and Agriculture, along with the State Project Coordinator, Barr. Ladi Ahmed Jatto OON.
Kogi’s strong representation also included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Alhaji Jibrin (Chairman, Kogi ACReSAL State Technical Committee), Permanent Secretaries from other relevant ministries, and the Head of the Project Financial Monitoring Unit (HPFMU).
Platform for Progress:
The forum served as a vital platform for fostering communication and understanding between the World Bank and implementing partners. It offered the participating states a clear view of the ACReSAL Project’s development objectives, promoting seamless implementation at the state level.
Furthermore, the event facilitated performance evaluation and provided valuable support to participating states.
Kogi’s Commitment to Sustainability:
Speaking at the forum, Hon. OMOFAIYE attributed Kogi’s success to the Governor’s unwavering commitment to environmental protection. He emphasized the state’s dedication to upholding the highest standards in project execution.
Echoing this sentiment, Barr. Jatto reaffirmed their commitment to the project’s long-term sustainability. She expressed gratitude to Governor Bello for his unwavering support, which has empowered Kogi ACReSAL to achieve their set objectives.
Kogi ACReSAL’s exceptional performance in environmental safeguards, M&E oversight, and transparency serves as a commendable example for other participating states. Their dedication to project sustainability ensures a bright future for the ACReSAL program.
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