By Muhammad Nur Tijani
The National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW) says it has commenced full relocation of its operational headquarters to Kano following a directive from the Presidency through the Minister.
The Director-General of the agency, Alhaji Saleh Abubakar, disclosed this during an inspection and handover exercise at the facility in Kano.
Abubakar said the decision to relocate the operational base was strategic, noting that the office had long served as a centre for field activities in the region.
He said the agency had established over 50 project sites within the area and maintained a functional presence through regular oversight visits.
According to him, some residential buildings within the facility are already occupied by staff, while others will be renovated and furnished ahead of full occupation.
He added that additional funding was required to procure office equipment and furniture to ensure smooth take-off of full operations.
Abubakar said frontline states should expect improved coordination, faster response time, and stronger engagement now that the headquarters would be fully based in Kano.
He further disclosed that the agency had secured partnership support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and accessed funding from the United Nations valued at several millions of dollars for climate-related interventions in the North-West.
The director-general said the intervention would strengthen ongoing efforts to address climate change challenges in the region.
On reports of alleged illegal sale of portions of the facility, Abubakar warned members of the public against engaging in land transactions involving the property.
He said the facility remained government-owned and fully in use, adding that anyone purchasing land from speculators did so at their own risk.
“There is no part of this property that is for sale. It is a government facility and remains in active use,” he said.
Abubakar also dismissed claims that the facility was abandoned, saying its relocation exercise had proven otherwise.
He said the site currently houses residential quarters for staff and their families, as well as functional offices, a laboratory, a nursery, storage facilities, and hostels used for trainees undergoing basic forestry training.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Yakubu Uba