Makurdi, Benue State
The World Bank Implementation Support Mission to Benue State, led by Dr. Joy Iganya Agene, FNMGS, Senior Environmental Specialist at the World Bank and Task Team Leader of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, has strengthened technical oversight and quality assurance for proposed civil works interventions in the state.
The mission conducted field assessments at the Industrial Layout Extension in Kua Community, Makurdi, and Ammoda Community in Otukpo Local Government Area. The team examined site conditions, reviewed proposed drainage and erosion control designs, and assessed measures to ensure the durability, structural integrity and quality of the planned infrastructure.
The field assessments and subsequent stakeholder engagements brought together the World Bank mission team, relevant Ministries, the Benue State Project Management Unit (SPMU), project consultants, engineers, procurement officers and representatives of the Focal NGOs (FONGOs). Discussions centred on sound engineering, effective project implementation and sustainable environmental management.
Addressing stakeholders, Dr. Agene commended the Benue State Government for creating an enabling environment for ACReSAL implementation, acknowledging Governor Hyacinth Alia’s support through counterpart funding, institutional backing and sustained commitment to project delivery. She also praised the State Project Coordinator, Bldr. Victor Ama, for his dedication to ensuring that project interventions reach beneficiary communities across the state.
The Task Team Leader further commended the Honourable Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change for his support and cordial working relationship with the State Project Coordinator, noting the importance of effective collaboration in advancing the project’s objectives.
She urged the Benue ACReSAL team to sustain its performance and position itself strategically to maximise the opportunities presented by the proposed Additional Financing (AF), which is expected to expand the scale and impact of project interventions.
Dr. Agene emphasised the need for early preparation, sound technical planning, timely procurement, effective monitoring and evaluation, and proper supervision. She stressed that baseline data must be collected before construction begins, while engineers and contractors must ensure that all necessary technical requirements and instruments are in place before project execution.
She also underscored the importance of community participation throughout implementation, urging all stakeholders to carry beneficiary communities along to promote ownership, accountability and sustainability.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change and Chairman of the Benue ACReSAL Steering Committee, Hon. Ugwu Odoh, welcomed the mission team and expressed appreciation to the World Bank for its continued technical support. He also commended the FONGOs for their contributions to environmental awareness and community-level project implementation.
Hon. Odoh highlighted the significance of the proposed erosion control and water conservation interventions, particularly the Ammoda erosion control project, which he said was eagerly anticipated by the beneficiary community and traditional institutions. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to facilitating the review and approval of the designs and the subsequent award of contracts in accordance with established procedures.
Team leads of the Benue ACReSAL FONGOs across the three zones commended Dr. Agene for her technical contributions and continued support for the project. They also reaffirmed their commitment to effective implementation, sustained community engagement and the delivery of lasting environmental benefits.
Delivering the vote of thanks on behalf of the State Project Coordinator, the State Head of the Project Financial Management Unit, Mr. Nder Donald, expressed appreciation to the World Bank mission team and acknowledged the collective efforts of the Benue ACReSAL team in advancing project implementation across the state.
He highlighted the critical role of sound financial management in sustaining project operations, noting that the proper utilisation and timely retirement of funds are essential for subsequent disbursements and continued implementation. He also acknowledged improvements in the state’s financial management processes and appreciated the mission team’s cooperation in resolving previous challenges.
Following the technical review, engineers and procurement teams were directed to undertake comprehensive reassessments of the project sites to ensure that the proposed drainage and erosion control designs adequately reflect local conditions and meet the required engineering specifications and quality standards.