The minister of water resources and sanitation Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has called for more support from the World Bank to enable Nigeria upgrade and construct more dams to boost irrigation farming and achieve food security and hydropower generation.
Utsev made the call at the weekend when he received a team from the World Bank led by its senior water resources management specialist and team leader of TRIMING and SPIN, Chinedu Umolu, as well as the national coordinator of SPIN, Ipinlaye Olaiye, in his office.
According to the minister, though the World Bank has been supportive of the country especially in the funding of critical projects that are impacting positively on the lives of millions of Nigerians, more of such support was required especially now that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to upgrading all existing dams in the country and constructing new ones to scale up irrigation farming and achieve food sufficiency, while improving hydropower generation.
He pointed out that with the increased number of states indicating interest to participate in the SPIN project, which is to commence soon, there is a compelling need for additional funding from the World Bank to enable the states fully key into the SPIN project to boost food production, create more job opportunities for the teaming youths and add value to the nation’s economy.
Utsev assured the World Bank of sustained synergy and smooth implementation of the SPIN project in the country.
Earlier, Umolu told the minister that the visit was to brief him about the successful implementation of the TRIMING project and its final close next month.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support for the execution of the TRIMING project in Nigeria, which has improved on the lives of citizens of the country.
He also thanked the minister for his proactive and pragmatic leadership, which saw the smooth kickoff of the SPIN project in the country, with many states indicating interest to participate, saying “it was a clear demonstration of commitment for the success of the project.”
The World Bank official further assured the minister of the support of the bank to enable the project impact positively on the lives of Nigerians.
