FG, WORLD BANK STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP TO BOOST WATER SUPPLY, FOOD SECURITY
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its partnership with the World Bank to accelerate access to safe water, improve irrigation infrastructure and enhance food security across the country.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, while receiving a World Bank delegation led by the Task Team Leader for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, Zack Zieglhifer, at his office in Abuja.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the minister’s Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Terhemen Oraduen, Utsev described the partnership with the World Bank as critical to achieving the Tinubu administration’s development priorities in the water and agriculture sectors.
He said the Renewed Hope Agenda is focused on expanding access to potable water, strengthening food production through irrigated agriculture and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is anchored on improving access to safe water, achieving food security through irrigated agriculture and creating job opportunities for the nation’s teeming population,” the minister said.
Utsev noted that deeper collaboration with the World Bank would accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project and other strategic interventions being undertaken by the ministry.
He also assured the delegation of Nigeria’s participation in the forthcoming Africa Water Forum scheduled to hold this month in N’Djamena, Chad.
According to the minister, the forum will provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase ongoing reforms in the water sector under the Renewed Hope Agenda and attract greater investment into the country’s water infrastructure.
He said the ministry would use the platform to highlight initiatives aimed at expanding access to safe and sustainable water, particularly in underserved communities, while promoting investment opportunities in Nigeria’s water sector.
Earlier, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the SPIN Project, Zack Zieglhifer, alongside the project’s Co-Task Team Leader, Engr. Chinedu Umolu, said the visit was to confirm the ministry’s participation in the Africa Water Forum.
They explained that the forum, being hosted by West African countries in collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners, would bring together policymakers, development partners and key stakeholders to explore innovative financing models for improving water security across the continent.
According to the delegation, the event will feature high-level discussions aimed at shaping policy, strengthening regional cooperation and securing concrete commitments to address Africa’s water challenges.
The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project is one of the Federal Government’s flagship programmes supported by the World Bank to modernise irrigation infrastructure, improve water resources management and increase agricultural productivity. The initiative is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s drive towards food security while expanding access to reliable water resources for farming and rural communities.
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