Food Security: FG Seeks World Bank Support To Upgrade Dams, Boost Irrigation

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation,  Prof. Joseph Utsev, has appealed for increased support from the World Bank to enhance the country’s dam infrastructure and scale up irrigation farming nationwide.

The minister appealed during a meeting with a delegation from the World Bank led by Engr. Chinedu Umolu is the Bank’s Senior Water Resources Management Specialist and Team Leader of the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) and Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) projects. The team also included the National Coordinator of SPIN, Engr. Ipinlaye Olaiye.

While acknowledging the World Bank’s consistent support for critical water and sanitation projects in Nigeria, the Minister emphasised the urgent need for expanded funding. He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration prioritised the rehabilitation of existing dams and constructing new ones to drive food security and improve hydropower generation.

“With more states showing interest in the SPIN project, additional funding is essential to ensure their full participation. This will significantly boost food production, create employment for our teeming youth, and strengthen the national economy.” Prof Utsev said.

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He also reassured the World Bank of continued collaboration and effective implementation of the SPIN initiative, which aims to modernise irrigation and power infrastructure nationwide.

In his remarks, Engr. Umolu briefed the Minister on the successful implementation of the TRIMING project, which is set to conclude next month. He thanked the Tinubu administration for its unwavering support and praised Prof Utsev’s leadership for facilitating the smooth rollout of the SPIN project.

“The growing interest from states in SPIN reflects the strong commitment of your Ministry to the project’s success. The World Bank remains committed to supporting Nigeria in achieving sustainable irrigation and water resource management,”  he said.

The SPIN project is expected to play a crucial role in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector through enhanced irrigation systems and expanded access to water for power generation and farming.