By John Wada, Lafia

In a bold move to tackle flooding and land degradation, the Nasarawa State Government has taken delivery of a new set of heavy-duty machines under the World Bank-backed ACReSAL project.

Governor Abdullahi Sule on Wednesday officially flagged off the equipment in Lafia. The fleet includes a swamp buggy, bulldozer, grader, dump trucks and a low-bed truck.

According to the Governor, the machines will be deployed to restore degraded lands, control gully erosion, and clear blocked drainages in flood-prone areas across the state.

“Every year we watch flooding and erosion destroy homes and farmlands. That has to stop. With these machines, we can now respond directly without waiting for expensive contractors,” Sule said.

He described the procurement as a major milestone for the state and thanked the World Bank for naming Nasarawa among the top-performing states under ACReSAL. He also applauded the ACReSAL National Coordinator, project team, and the Ministry of Environment for driving the project.

To ensure the equipment lasts, the Governor approved the recruitment of skilled operators and technicians. He directed the Head of Service and the Civil Service Commission to work with the Ministry of Environment to employ qualified personnel, even from outside the country if needed.

But the Governor did not mince words on accountability. Referencing the recent case in Umaisha where hospital equipment donated by a lawmaker was allegedly stolen by health workers, Sule said he has ordered a full probe. 

“Anyone caught diverting public property will be sacked and prosecuted. This applies to these new machines too. Technical ability must go with integrity,” he warned.

He promised that if the current fleet is well maintained and used transparently, his government will buy more before leaving office to further boost the state’s climate resilience.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Margaret Elayo, said the commissioning marks the shift “from talk to action.”

She explained that the amphibious swamp buggy will be key in reaching waterlogged areas where normal machines cannot go.

Dr. Elayo said her ministry will coordinate with NASAMSA, NEMA, NIHSA and local councils to tackle environmental challenges holistically. 

She also urged traditional rulers and residents to stop dumping refuse in waterways and help protect drainage channels.

The event had in attendance top government officials, traditional leaders, and stakeholders in the environmental sector.