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Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang
The Plateau State government disbursed N5bn on Thursday to empower 140 farming communities across the three senatorial zones of the state.
The Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, Peter Gwom, disclosed this on Thursday, during a ceremony to showcase the Agro Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape Project Day.
The event, held at the Rayfield Government House, Jos, also launched the Community Revolving Fund.
Gwom said fund disbursement under the CRF, a World Bank initiative under the ACRESAL project, aimed to boost agricultural production, improve food security, and enhance the livelihoods of local communities in the state.
“Today, we will distribute a pilot scheme focusing on 10 communities. Each of the communities will receive $25,000 through the Community Revolving Fund Management Team.
“The CRF is a pilot project aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience and promoting sustainable practices targeted at groups in identified communities.
“It is further designed to empower local communities by providing them with funds necessary to implement innovative and adaptive strategies which are crucial in improving agricultural productivity,” he said.
The 10 benefiting communities are Guratop, Kerang, Zamko, Ampang West, Dinting, Jimin, Kaler, Plateau Club/Bingham, Pishe, Yashi, and Wereh.
He added that the fund, totalling $3.5m or well over N5bn, would be distributed to 140 communities, spread across the three senatorial zones of the state.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang thanked the World Bank for the initiative and charged the benefiting communities to make good use of the funds.
He stressed that the initiative was designed to create a revolving financial opportunity for broader community development.
“I want to thank the World Bank for the initiatives you’ve introduced on the Plateau. Let me assure you that, by the grace of God, none of these projects will fail.
“We are committed to ensuring that the funds and equipment are judiciously used to uplift our people,” the governor said.
He also inaugurated 20 tractors for farming communities across the state, adding that his administration, through the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme, had mapped out plans to secure over 200 tractors to further boost agricultural activities and ensure food security and sovereignty across the state.
“Beyond implementing projects, our focus is to ensure that these investments lift our people out of poverty. The bottom line is to improve the standard of living of our people by reducing poverty,” he added.
The governor urged the citizens to unite in supporting government initiatives and cautioned against divisive tendencies that hindered progress.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr Ndiame Diop, congratulated the 10 beneficiary communities and underscored the importance of addressing climate change’s adverse effects on agriculture.
Diop commended Mutfwang and his team for their dedication to the project’s success and urged the communities to use the funds responsibly for the benefit of their members.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan, ACReSAL Task Team Leader, Dr Joy Iganya Agene, Commissioner for Environment, Climate Change and Mineral Development, and the chairman of Plateau ACReSAL Project State Steering Committee, Peter Kannang Gwom and the Plateau State ACReSAL Coordinator, Mr Garba Gowon Gonkol, lauded the governor for fostering a conducive environment for meaningful partnerships.
