The Project Management Unit of Benue ACReSAL had an interactive session with GreenWatch Initiative, the consultant for the design of Agroforestry models for the project in the State.
Local Government Areas to benefit from the survey and agroforestry model designs include Makurdi, Vandeikya, Gwer East, Gboko, Oju, and Otukpo.
Addressing the consultants on Friday at the conference hall of the project office, the State Project Coordinator, Bldr. Victor Ama urged the Team to follow the Terms of Reference (ToR) agreed upon and draw up designs that when implemented in communities would ensure sustainability of the proposed agro-forests.
The SPC who was represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Engr. Samson Naakaa tasked the consultant to capture in their designs, the peculiar nature of the communities as well as give them a sense of ownership to achieve the desired result.
Bldr. Ama enjoined the consultants to engage community members to inform them of the proposed activities to be sited in their localities.
Speaking, the Team Lead of GreenWatch Initiative, Prof. Simon Shomkegh informed SPMU that the models will capture the socio-economic data of members of the communities earmarked as well as propose ways to prevent post-harvest losses; target wealth creation; access to markets; propose plant nurseries and earth dams or solar powered boreholes, dependent on the peculiar nature of the communities.
Also speaking, Dr. Emmanuel Tembe, a member of GreenWatch Initiative added that while on the assignment, they would be adaptable so that they could adequately design sustainable agroforest models for the various communities, assuring that they were fully prepared to hit the ground running and deliver on the mandate as captured in the TOR. The consultant promised to always carry the SPMU along in every step taken to keep them abreast of progress.
Members of SPMU including the Project Engineer, Engr. Bemsen Michael, Project Forest Management Officer Mr. Uva Atomigba, Project Accountant Mr. Nder Tersoo Donald, and Assistant Project Accountant, Mr. John Inakwu among others reminded the Consultants that ACReSAL Project is very sensitive to issues of gender-based violence hence their staff should exert caution in the course of performing their duties.
They further expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the consultant and encouraged them to play their role in making sure that the ACReSAL Project achieves its goals, especially by planting more trees to cushion the effect of climate change on the environment.