Emir lauds ACReSAL’s impact on rural dwellers in Gombe

Alhaji Yakubu Kwairanga, the Emir of Funakaye, on Friday, lauded Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project’s impact on the lives and livelihoods of rural dwellers in Gombe State.

Kwairanga gave the commendation in Bajoga town of Funakaye Local Government Area of Gombe State during the distribution of energy-efficient cooking stoves to communities in the council.

He stated that ACReSAL project had helped in improving the lives of rural dwellers especially with its intervention in addressing land degradation, climate change impacts, and promoting sustainable development.

He said that ACReSAL had become a household name in view of the numerous environmental and empowerment projects being carried out in various communities across the state.

“I want to commend ACReSAL for their efforts in ensuring that rural dwellers and their livelihoods are protected.
“This is really commendable as living standards of residents of many communities have been improved.

“Today, energy-efficient cooking stoves are being distributed to rural dwellers and we are very happy because it will help improve their lives and help them save money.

“The tree planting campaign by ACReSAL is really impressive as it is helping to reclaim our land which has been affected by desertification,” he said.

Kwairanga warned beneficiaries of the stoves not to sell them, stressing that the essence of the distribution was to help alleviate economic challenges associated with cooking while helping to protect the environment.

Also speaking, the Gombe State ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Dr Sani Jauro, said the distribution of the energy-efficient cooking stoves was part of efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Jauro said no fewer than 800 stoves would be distributed to seven communities in the Council while the traditional rulers would be given 100.

He stated that the stoves would help reduce dependence on traditional, inefficient cooking methods, which contribute to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions.

“These stoves are very efficient, as they use small amounts of briquettes and they will help low-income households to reduce costs while minimising deforestation caused by tree felling for cooking fuel.”

The state coordinator said that the event also provided an avenue for ACReSAL to engage with stakeholders at the grassroots on critical climate-change-related issues.

Jauro said that the event was also leveraged to sensitise the grassroots on the need to support Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State’s efforts at tackling environmental challenges by sustaining ACReSAL project and encouraging tree planting.

Corroborating Kwairanga, Jauro said that ACReSAL has impacted on lives and livelihoods of the people of the state, empowering women and youths out of poverty.

He said that ACReSAL projects in the state have restored degraded land, improved agricultural practices, and strengthened rural livelihoods through community-driven approaches.

He called on residents of the state to approach any of their nurseries across the state to collect free tree seedlings for planting, stressing that the task of combating impact of climate change was a collective approach.

Emir lauds ACReSAL’s impact on rural dwellers in Gombe