ACReSAL: Hon (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael Flags Off The Disbursement For The Compensation Of Project Affected Persons (PAPS) In Omigbo, Kabba
In a bid to continue to bring infrastructural development to the grassroots and to fulfill Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s mandate of making Kogi State a 21st Century Economy, Kogi State has commenced the payments of compensation to the project affected persons in Kabba, today.
It is a World Bank Assisted Project aimed at addressing the challenges of land degradation and climate change in Northern Nigeria on a multi-dimensional scale. The project seeks to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion, reverse and prevent land degradation in a sustainable way that complements the natural environment.
The Caretaker Chairman, Hon (Barr.) Zacchaeus Dare Michael on Friday stated that the State Government aligns with the urgency for actions in mitigating the effects of climate change and championing adaptation initiatives at the local level.
The chairman, who spoke at the flag-off of the payments of compensation to the project affected persons (PAPs) held at Otunba (Prof.) Foluso Landende Hall, St Augustine College, Kabba.
He stated that the government understands that the issue of climate change is not a distant threat but a present reality that requires immediate solutions.
He thanked Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo as he further demonstrated his desire to ensure that the people of Omigbo community in Kabba are free from the menace associated with the gully erosion, and approved an additional sum of Six Hundred Million Naira (#600,000,000) as counterpart funds.
Interestingly, over 200 beneficiaries in the local government area under the World Bank facilitated Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project receives their monies as a re-settlement funds (Compensation).
During the flagging off ceremony on Friday, the State Project Coordinator, Chief (Barr.) Ladi Ahmed Jatto said the compensation fund was designed to support all the affected persons around the Omigbo river. She pleaded with the beneficiaries to use the funds for what it’s meant for and not to waste the privilege for things that are less important.
Hon Wemi Jones FCIB, the Commissioner of Education expressed delight over the intervention by the World Bank stressing that the intervention aligned with Governor Ododo administration’s agenda aimed at improving livelihood and addressing poverty in the state.
He charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds.
The state’s Commissioner of Environment and Ecological Management, Engr. Joseph Oluwasegun, who represented the Kogi State Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo said the intervention was meant to enhance rural developments. He stressed that it is further intended to educate residents on climate risk, degradation of lands and natural resources.
A beneficiary from the Omigbo community in Kabba, Olarewaju Jeremiah, described the intervention as deserving saying that he would utilise the opportunity to improve on his family’s living conditions.
“The intervention will go a long way for me, help me to get a better means of livelihood and address poverty in our midst”, Mr Jeremiah said.
Signed
Omofa John
SA on New Media
Kabba/Bunu LGA
