Yobe Seeks World Bank Support On Irrigation

Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni has urged the World Bank to minimise administrative bottlenecks in its support to the recovery programmes of the state in resettling communities devastated by the insurgency.

He made the appeal when he received a World Bank delegation who paid him a working visit, saying the administrative bottlenecks had slowed down some projects and programmes.

“The longer it takes to channel the support, the more it is badly affected by inflation because if you plan to execute a particular project or programme and you cost it on an existing rate, if it is not done in time, it will certainly be affected by inflation on prices of raw materials for the project,” he said.

Governor Buni called on the World Bank for partnership on irrigation under the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Response Programme.

“Agriculture remains the mainstay of our people and it provides them with sustainable means of livelihood, food supply and security.

“We are encouraging irrigation agriculture because of the unpredictable nature of rain-fed agriculture owing to climate change. We always have flooding, drought or desert encroachment hence the need to encourage irrigation.

“We shall appreciate a great deal of partnership with you to boost irrigation farming taking advantage of our land bank, improved security where our people now have access to their farms, unhindered. The government is committed to making irrigation farming attractive, and profitable in Yobe State, “ Buni said.

Leader of the delegation, Mrs Madhu Raghunath, commended the governor for providing the required leadership in making the recovery process very efficient and effective.

“We would like to share the Yobe State experience with some states to hasten the resettlement, recovery and resettlement of their displaced communities.

“We have always enjoyed working with you and will continue to partner you to effectively improve the resettlement of the displaced communities,” she stated, adding that the World Bank was focusing on a world free of poverty in a livable planet.