The Kano State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project (Kano-ACRESAL) has dismissed as misleading a viral video that alleged mismanagement and inefficiency in the project’s implementation across the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Project Communications Officer, Maryam Abdulqadir, the management described the video as a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.
The clarification, according to the statement, became necessary following numerous inquiries from journalists seeking balanced and accurate information.
To begin with, the ACReSAL Project is being implemented under a tripartite agreement involving the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 19 Northern States, including the FCT, and the World Bank.
The Project is guided by key documents such as the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and the Project Appraisal Document (PAD,) which contain policies and operational guidelines essential for achieving the Project Development Objectives (PDO).
In addition, the ACReSAL Project is structured to operate within the scope of its PDO over a six-year period. All activities must be derived from the Annual Work and Procurement Plans proposed by the State Project Management Unit (SPMU), in collaboration with relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), endorsed by the State Ministry of Environment, and approved by the World Bank.
Since its inception, the Kano-ACReSAL Project has recorded notable successes across its components.
SolaceBase reports that the viral video made three allegations: that Kano-ACRESAL was drilling hand pumps instead of solar-powered boreholes, that beneficiaries of the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) were fictitious, and that trucks and pay loaders for refuse evacuation were never purchased.
However, the project management debunked all claims, explaining that all its activities are guided by the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and Project Appraisal Document (PAD), as stipulated under the tripartite agreement involving the Federal Government, 19 northern states, including the FCT, and the World Bank.
The construction of solar-powered boreholes falls under Component A2: Landscape Investment “Water Resources Management”.
Under this subcomponent, the project invests in the development and rehabilitation of water infrastructure.
This includes the construction and/or rehabilitation of small dams and reservoirs, the decommissioning or rehabilitation of deep boreholes, installation of borehole heads, pumps, and meters, as well as improvements in irrigation and drainage systems.
The statement clarified that as for the construction hand pumps instead of 10 number solar-powered boreholes mentioned in the video, we are glad to state that these solar boreholes have been constructed in line with the World Bank Procurement Procedures and at a cost reflecting taxes, profit margin for the contractor and additional facilities such as solar streetlight, fencing, fetching area, etc.
The solar-powered boreholes have been completed in ten places across nine local government areas of Kano State—Danbatta, Gezawa, Gwale, Dawakin Tofa, Gwarzo, Minjibir, Nassarawa, Dala, and Kano Municipal—in strict adherence to World Bank procurement procedures.Kano travel packages
The projects, completed between October and December 2024, aim to improve access to clean water for both domestic and agricultural use.
Responding to the CRF allegation, the Project clarified that on February 6, 2025, ten communities from Gwale, Dala, Madobi, and Kabo LGAs received a total of $250,000 (₦375 million) in cheques presented by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf during a ceremony at the Coronation Hall in Kano.Kano travel packages
‘’On 6th February 2025, ten beneficiary communities received cheques of $25,000 (N37,500,000.00) each, from the Executive Governor of Kano State, His Excellency Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, as part of this initiative in a grand event that was held at the Coronation Hall, Kano State.
”These communities comprise beneficiaries from Gwale, Dala, Madobi, and Kabo LGAs. Many more communities will follow in subsequent CRF disbursements.”
The disbursement, under Component B1 of the project, is part of efforts to empower agricultural communities and boost climate resilience.
Similarly, on waste management, the project confirmed the procurement of 10 trucks and two pay loaders for the Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB).
The equipment, under Component C1, is already in use across Kano’s streets and can be independently verified at REMASAB.
The Project urged the public and media professionals to verify information before dissemination and encouraged citizens to visit the project website https://kanoacresal.org or its official social media pages for credible updates.
“We sincerely appreciate your concerns and your willingness to seek clarity.
“We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and professionalism in delivering the project’s goals,” the statement concluded.
