The Kwara State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) has carried out an intensive assessment visit to several project intervention sites across the state, including key water infrastructure, to evaluate progress and enhance project outcomes.

The exercise, aimed at strengthening climate resilience, improving rural livelihoods, and promoting sustainable development, allowed the team to identify operational challenges, assess implementation gaps, and re-strategise for more effective project delivery.

During the inspection, officials visited waterworks in Alapa, Otte Oja, and Pampo all within Asa Local Government Area to examine their conditions and functionality firsthand.

Hajia Nafisat Musa-Buge, Commissioner for Environment and Chairperson of the State Steering Committee for ACReSAL, underscored the importance of the visit in ensuring project accountability and impact.

She stated that the assessment will help pinpoint existing constraints and inform practical solutions, enabling the project team to refine strategies for successful implementation.

"This is not just about monitoring," she said. "It's about learning, adapting, and making sure our interventions deliver real, lasting benefits to communities facing climate challenges."

The KWACReSAL initiative, supported by national and international development partners, focuses on building adaptive capacity in vulnerable agricultural communities across Kwara State.

"…this project is a community-driven one, so this visit is crucial in ensuring that the project is meeting its objectives and making meaningful impacts on the lives of Kwarans" she added.

She expressed delight at the progress recorded so far and urged stakeholders to maintain the momentum to achieve the goals of the project.

The Co-Chairmen of the project, Dr. Afees Abolore Alabi, Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, and Hon. Yunusa Lade, Commissioner for Water Resources, commended the ACReSAL project and the State government for the innovative initiative, while expressing optimism about the project's potential to improve water accessibility and support agricultural development in the State.

The Contractor of the project, Engr. (Dr.) Olawumi Hakeem of Xuki International Limited, led an inspection tour of the three waterworks, assuring that work is progressing rapidly. "We are working diligently to complete the project in quick succession, ensuring the community feels the positive impacts of this intervention," he said.

During the inspection, Engr. Hakeem highlighted key developments, including the construction of steel tanks and ten fetching points, designed to enhance water accessibility for the community.

The State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, urged the consultant to expedite work on the ACReSAL waterworks rehabilitation project, emphasizing the importance of meeting deadlines, Aregbe stressed the need for quality results, underscoring the project's significance and the importance of timely completion.

The traditional leaders, Alhaji Saheed Mohammed (Mogaji Alapa Community), Mogaji Ayede (Budo-Egba Community, Otte), and Alhaji AbdulRasaq Oloko, the community Head of Pampo said they are grateful for the waterworks rehabilitation project, which will significantly improve their access to clean water and enhance their livelihoods.

They expressed their appreciation for the efforts of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, the World Bank, and ACReSAL in bringing the project to their communities, recognizing the potentials of the project to positively impact their communities.

On the inspection team were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Abubakar Ayinla; Director of Water Engineering, Engr. Yusuf Wopa and the State Project Management Unit team.