Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Wednesday, signed over N12bn for the reclamation of a 21km Railway Line gully erosion contract under the World Bank, Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project.
Yahaya disclosed during the signing that the gully erosion traverses through London-Maidorowa, Mallam-Inna Wuro-Ladde, Wuro-Kesa, Arawa and Kagarawal, adding that it marks his administration’s unwavering commitment to the preservation of the environment and safeguarding the livelihoods of the people.
According to him, the state is regarded as the erosion capital of the Northeast, adding that it poses threats to agricultural lands, displacing communities, and endangering the future of the environment.
Yahaya said, “It is estimated that over 400,000 people live along the gully corridors in Gombe State, living in constant fear for their lives and property. About 85 per cent of those people are poor and therefore lack the wherewithal and resilience to withstand or mitigate such devastating environmental menace.
“On assumption of office in 2019, our administration made it clear that a sustainable and resilient environment is crucial to the sustainable livelihood and prosperity of the people.
“I am confident that with the help of the ACRESAL project, just like its predecessor project (NEWMAP), we are continuing on a journey to reclaim our environmental landscapes, protect our communities, and secure a prosperous future for generations yet unborn. This project aligns with our broader vision for Gombe State, as captured in our 10-year Development Plan The Development Agenda for Gombe State — which seeks to build a state that flourishes economically and is rooted in environmental safety and sustainability.
“Our people can now heave a big sigh of relief as we sign this contract today, which is worth N12,057,248,267.00, one of the biggest capital projects in the history of Gombe State.”
While stating his administration’s resolve to reclaim lands since 2019, said the project represents a beacon of hope for communities, “especially those grappling with the daunting challenges posed by the monstrous gullies.”
On his part, the state Commissioner for Water, Environment and Forest Resources, Mohammed Fawu, lauded Yahaya’s commitment to restoring the environment, adding that through the ACReSAL project, Gombe State was able to recover about 31,000 hectares of degraded lands, plant over 9700 trees in strategic locations in the state.
“The state government paid over N500 million counterpart contribution and met all requirements for the project,” he added.
