Kwara ACReSAL Trains Staff, Stakeholders on Security, Emergency Preparedness

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The Kwara State Government has organised a two-day security induction and awareness training for staff and stakeholders of the Kwara Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (KWACReSAL) Project to strengthen personnel safety, improve emergency preparedness and ensure the smooth implementation of environmental interventions across the state.

The training, held at E-Phoenix Hotel, Ilorin, from Thursday, October 15, to Friday, October 16, brought together project personnel, security agencies, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to enhance their capacity to identify security threats, assess risks and respond effectively to emergencies during field operations.

Speaking at the event, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Commissioner for Environment and Chairman of the State Steering Committee of ACReSAL, Hajia Nafisat Musa-Buge, said personnel safety was essential to achieving sustainable project outcomes.
The governor described ACReSAL as a flagship environmental initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, strengthening community resilience to climate change and improving livelihoods in vulnerable communities.

He noted that security threats, including farmer-herder clashes, land disputes, kidnapping, youth restiveness and misinformation, could trigger communal resistance and disrupt development projects if not properly managed.

He urged staff to remain security-conscious, observe community entry protocols, maintain effective communication with supervisors and community leaders, and promptly report suspicious activities and emerging threats.

The governor also called for sustained collaboration between the project and relevant security agencies, assuring stakeholders of the state government's commitment to the successful implementation of ACReSAL and other development initiatives.

Buge commended the governor for his continued support for the project and praised the State Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shamsideen Olatunbosun Aregbe, and his team for organising the training.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, and Chairman of the ACReSAL Technical Committee, Dr Abubakar Ayinla, explained that project personnel operated in several locations across the state, including degraded watersheds in Kaiama, Shonga, Lata, Alapa and Baruten, as well as gully erosion sites in Ilorin, Share and Edu.

He observed that personnel working in these areas sometimes encountered difficult terrain and challenging social conditions, making adequate security awareness and preparedness essential.

The State Project Coordinator, Aregbe, said the training was designed to strengthen staff capacity in personal safety, field-trip planning, risk assessment, emergency response, communication and community conflict resolution.

He added that the programme would also familiarise participants with the project's Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and support the development of a state-level Security Management Plan for Kwara ACReSAL.

Aregbe stressed that security was a collective responsibility, noting that community participation, respect for local customs, effective communication and timely resolution of grievances were vital to preventing misunderstandings that could hinder project implementation.

The Emir of Okuta, His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Idris Abubakar Serobetete III, represented by a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Honorable Ishak Mohammed Sabi, described the initiative as a step in the right direction towards addressing security challenges in Kwara State.

He commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his efforts to strengthen security across the state, noting that such initiatives would improve safety and support the successful implementation of development projects.

Also, the Emir of Shonga, Dr Haliru Ndanusa Yahaya, OON, commended the training and acknowledged the positive impact of ACReSAL interventions in his community. 

He urged the project to intensify the implementation of its key programmes and recommended similar health-awareness training to equip staff and stakeholders with life-saving skills for managing health emergencies during field operations.

Similarly, the Olupako of Share, Oba Haruna Suleiman Ilufemiloye, described the training as strategic and valuable, commending Governor AbdulRazaq for supporting development programmes across the state.

The monarch, who is also Chairman of the Security Committee of the Kwara State Traditional Council, pledged the support of traditional institutions in protecting project personnel and providing relevant security intelligence. He urged ACReSAL to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers and host communities to ensure safe and effective field operations.

The two-day training featured presentations and security guidance from personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigerian Legion.

The programme, organised in collaboration with Synergy Impact Consultants Limited, is expected to strengthen institutional capacity, improve coordination with security agencies and promote safer and more sustainable implementation of ACReSAL interventions across Kwara State.

ACReSAL is a World Bank-supported project focused on addressing land degradation, promoting sustainable landscape management and strengthening climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

Okanlawon Taiwo
KWACReSAL 
07030113331

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