NAN-AE-4
Project
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. 24, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator, Global Environmental Facility/Small Grant Programme (GEF/SGP), says the programme has spent 49,000 dollars in executing projects in Chukuku Community, Kuje Area Council, FCT.
Olubamise disclosed this on Thursday when the officials of GEF and its National Steering Committee members visited the community on project inspection.
She said that the community had been experiencing the effects of climate change evidenced by dwindling incomes generated from climate- related agricultural activities.
She said that the main objective of the project was to create awareness and building the resilience of rural dwellers for effective adaption strategy to the impacts of climate change.
According to her, the GEF/SGP`s projects in the community is training and capacity building to produce 1,000 energy saving stoves.
“Provision of four water points for dry season farming and two motorised 5,000 cubic litre boreholes for livelihood enhancement and creating of awareness on climate change.
“Training on climate smart agriculture, including composting, alley cropping, and planting of economic trees.
“Also, soil conservation techniques, harvest preservation, dry season farming and management of farms, crops, livestock aquaculture and how to manage resources better, “ she said.
The coordinator said that GEF/SGP started the programme early in 2015, adding that the duration of each project ought to be one year.
“GEF/SGP offers grants to various NGOs for projects and inspects, monitors and encourages the beneficiaries of the projects in giving communities for sustainability,’’ he said.
Olubamise said that the team was impressed with the level of work done on the project.
The national coordinator advised the community to participate strongly in ensuring efficient management and maintenance of the project.
She said that GEF/SGP was one of the institution`s largest standing funding programmes established by World Bank to integrate global environmental benefits and to help the vulnerable in various communities.
She said that GEF/SGP had granted direct support actions to combat environmental issues such as climate change, biodiversity, polluted international waters, land degradation and persistent organic pollution.
Mr Kelvin Dzeremo, the Executive Director, Foundation for Economic Empowerment and Educational Development (FEED), an NGO, who is handling the project, said that the community members were split into different groups to ensure their participation in the project.
Dzeremo expressed the hope that the grouping would promote the level of commitment and dedication by the group members.
Malam Jibrin Sarki, the Village Head of the community, thanked the GEF/SGP officials and the NGO leader for making their dreams to come to reality.
Sarki said that before the GEF/SGP`s intervention, the people were passing through some difficulties in their day-to-day undertakings.
“Our wives are spending a lot of money and energy when they want to prepare food; now we don’t buy water and fire wood.
“The local stoves we are using now, which GEF/SGP introduced to us, have been of great help to us and has reduce cost of cooking.
“Our farming production has increased tremendously because of the organic composition, we no longer buy fertiliser.
“On behalf of the entire community, we remain grateful and we promise that the project will continue to move forward in this community.
“A lot of our women who participated in making local stoves have improved and people come around to buy stoves from them, “ he said.
Mrs Fatima Haruna, one of the beneficiaries, said that she had made 30 local stoves in just one month.
“I realise good money from my local stove; I want to thank all the officials of GEF/SGP.
“I could not send my children to school before, now they are all in school, the community as a whole is really enjoying the project, “ Haruna said. (NAN)
VOE/MOL/GY
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi.