The Benue State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project has reached another significant milestone in its efforts to restore degraded lands and enhance environmental governance. On Tuesday, the State Project Management Unit (SPMU) received the final presentation from Reliance Investment, Building, and Technology Nigeria Limited, the consultancy firm engaged to execute the mapping and gazetting of forest reserves across the state.
The presentation, held in the conference hall of the project office, highlighted the successful completion of the assignment. The consulting team detailed the steps undertaken during the exercise, including data collection, boundary demarcation, stakeholder engagements, and technical validations. They also presented the final maps and documentation that will guide the state in the legal gazetting of forest reserves.
Staff of the SPMU actively engaged with the presentation, offering observations and underscoring the strategic importance of the completed work. They noted that the exercise provides Benue State with a credible database that will aid in planning, policy formulation, and the sustainable management of forest resources. The team further emphasized that gazetted reserves would protect forests from encroachment, ensure accountability in resource use, and open doors for both national and international support toward conservation and climate resilience.
Speaking on behalf of the State Project Coordinator, Bldr. Victor Ama, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Engr. Samson Naakaa expressed the Unit’s appreciation to the consultants for their professionalism and dedication throughout the exercise. He noted that the successful completion of the mapping and gazetting project is a critical achievement for Benue ACReSAL and a vital step in addressing deforestation and land degradation in the state.
Engr. Naakaa assured that the SPMU is committed to utilizing the outcomes of the exercise effectively and will continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the benefits reach communities across the state. He reaffirmed that the project will build on this achievement to further strengthen environmental governance and improve the resilience of rural livelihoods.
This milestone reaffirms Benue ACReSAL’s commitment to implementing innovative, climate-smart solutions that align with the World Bank’s vision of restoring landscapes, safeguarding natural resources, and promoting sustainable prosperity for the people of Benue State.