By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) has rolled out a multi-billion-naira portfolio of climate resilience, environmental restoration and livelihood support projects across Gombe State, delivering far-reaching gains in safety, economic growth and ecosystem recovery.
Backed by the World Bank, the programme is tackling gully erosion, flooding, land degradation, water scarcity and rural poverty, while strengthening community cohesion and boosting local economies.
Landmark Intervention at FCE(T) Catchment
One of the flagship projects is the 21-kilometre gully reclamation at the Federal College of Education (Technical) catchment and adjoining communities in Gombe metropolis. The intervention combined hard engineering structures with nature-based solutions to stabilise the landscape and prevent further environmental degradation.
Before the intervention, the area recorded 35 deaths linked to erosion and flooding, destruction of hundreds of houses, and the isolation of 11 communities during peak rainy seasons. Ten schools and health facilities were affected, while about 2,000 farmlands and 1,700 livestock were lost.
Over 57,453 hectares of land were degraded.
Today, according to project data, fatalities have dropped to zero, no homes or public facilities are being lost to erosion, and previously cut-off communities now enjoy year-round access. The degraded land has been restored, while 7,661 skilled and unskilled jobs were created during the project’s execution.
The intervention has directly benefited 208,541 people and indirectly impacted 1,391,459 others—bringing the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 1.6 million.
Social and Economic Gains
Beyond physical infrastructure, the project has yielded notable social dividends. Communities report reduced crime rates, stronger inter-community cohesion, rising land values and lower disease prevalence. Local trade in the area has increased by 16 per cent, while school enrolment and retention have improved significantly.
Water Harvesting, Waste Management Boost
Under its integrated catchment management approach, ACReSAL distributed 450 units of 4,000-litre water tanks to households, benefiting 4,450 residents and reducing an estimated nine million litres of seasonal surface runoff.
In addition, 110 waste bins were distributed to serve about 1,100 people, and 24 waste collection centres were constructed. The measures have improved environmental sanitation, reduced flooding and curtailed the spread of waterborne diseases.
Livelihood Support and Food Security
The programme also strengthened livelihoods through Fisheries Cooperative Interest Groups (CIGs), where 25 members are supporting 250 beneficiaries. The initiative has improved household nutrition, generated income and recorded profits of about ₦250,000, while contributing to social stability.
Similarly, greenhouse-based smart agriculture projects involving 25 members and benefiting 250 people have enhanced access to nutritious food, boosted household incomes and promoted peaceful coexistence.
Expanding the Footprint
Work is ongoing at the GGC Doma Gully erosion site, a 17.5-kilometre stretch currently at eight per cent completion, with an estimated 1.4 million projected beneficiaries upon completion.
Urban flood control efforts have also seen the desilting of 13 major storm drains across Gombe metropolis, covering 1,858.14 hectares and significantly reducing flood risks.
At the Kanawa Forest, 23 hectares out of a planned 63 hectares have been transformed into a Biosphere Resort and Botanical Garden to promote conservation, research, education, recreation and eco-tourism.
Similarly, at the Balanga Dam, six kilometres of irrigation canals have been covered under ACReSAL out of a total 23 kilometres, with 6,329.3 hectares already benefiting from irrigation out of a projected 11,000 hectares.
Water, Energy and Green Infrastructure
ACReSAL constructed 30 solar-powered boreholes to improve access to potable water and established 11 plant nurseries, each raising 50,000 seedlings to drive afforestation efforts. So far, 4,691.7 hectares have been restored through community-led landscape restoration initiatives, benefiting 15,176 people.
To reduce pressure on forest resources, 3,000 energy-efficient cookstoves were distributed to households across the state.
Community Financing and Job Creation
Through its Community Revolving Fund (CRF), ACReSAL approved ₦350 million for community-driven enterprises. Of this amount, ₦223.4 million has been disbursed to 10 communities, with a repayment rate of 95 per cent—amounting to ₦216.2 million recovered.
The fund has supported 89 Cooperative Interest Groups, benefiting 1,979 individuals—1,234 male and 745 female—covering 1,696 hectares of land and generating 8,480 jobs.
In addition, 55 farmer groups comprising 2,071 farmers received drought-resistant seeds. The programme also deployed 12 tractors and 12 tricycles to promote smart agriculture, installed 250 wash boreholes for irrigation and distributed 50 groundnut milling machines to cooperatives to enhance agro-processing capacity.
Strengthening Institutions and Wildlife Protection
To improve environmental governance, wildlife management equipment was supplied to the state’s Forest Resources Department to enhance human-wildlife conflict resolution, emergency response and data collection.
The Ministry of Water, Environment and Forest Resources was also renovated, with improved office facilities and provision of laptops to about 300 staff to enhance operational efficiency.
Ensuring Sustainability Beyond ACReSAL
To sustain the gains recorded under the programme, the Gombe State Government has proposed the establishment of the Gombe State Integrated Watershed Management Agency (GSIMA). A bill to create the agency has been submitted to the State House of Assembly.
The proposed agency will coordinate watershed and climate-resilience programmes across the state, institutionalise post-ACReSAL interventions and serve as a hub for future donor and government-funded environmental projects.
Officials say the move will ensure continuity, strengthen climate adaptation capacity and position Gombe as a national model for integrated watershed management and post-project sustainability.
For many residents, however, the impact is already visible—safer communities, restored lands, improved livelihoods and renewed hope that climate resilience can translate into lasting prosperity.
