The Benue State Government has approved the establishment of the Benue State Agro-Climatic and Watershed Management Agency, a move aimed at strengthening the state’s resilience to climate change and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Briefing journalists at Government House Makurdi, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, said the new agency would complement the ongoing Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, a donor-supported programme focused on environmental restoration and agricultural development.
Dr. Ashaver explained that the agency will ensure continuity of ACReSAL’s objectives even after the project concludes, thereby institutionalizing climate-smart practices across the state. He also announced the appointment of Engineer Victor Amah, current State Coordinator of ACReSAL, as the Director General of the new agency.
In another development, the Council adopted a White Paper on the 2024 Agricultural Input Verification Committee Report. The document outlines government decisions on issues surrounding the supply and distribution of agricultural inputs, particularly in relation to the distribution of substandard fertilizer last year.
An Implementation Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, has been formed to oversee payments to verified vendors and enforce corrective measures within the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanization and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“No single dirty fertilizer will be accepted in our warehouses,” Dr. Ashaver vowed, pledging to maintain strict quality control. He added that the Bureau of Agricultural Mechanization exceeded its authority last year by procuring fertilizer without proper authorization, contributing to the controversy over low-quality inputs.
The commissioner also gave updates on the ongoing partnership with the Republic of Belarus, under which 40 Benue youths are receiving technical training. He noted that the Belarusian government has offered the trainees the opportunity to remain in the country and work for up to ten years, though the offer is entirely voluntary.
On humanitarian concerns, Dr. Ashaver addressed speculations regarding the management of funds donated for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). He clarified that such donations are handled directly by donor agencies in collaboration with IDPs, while the government plays only an oversight role to ensure transparency.
“No funds meant for IDPs are lodged in government accounts or subject to state appropriation,” he emphasized.