The Nigerian Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev has appealed for increased support from the World Bank to help Nigeria upgrade existing dams and build new ones. 

He said the goal is to boost irrigation farming, strengthen food security, and enhance hydropower generation nationwide.

Prof. Utsev made this call during a meeting in Abuja with a World Bank team led by Engr. Chinedu Umolu, Senior Water Resources Management Specialist and Team Leader for the TRIMING and SPIN projects, alongside Engr. Ipinlaye Olaiye is the National Coordinator for SPIN.

While acknowledging the World Bank’s role in funding key water-related projects that have benefited millions of Nigerians, the Minister said, “More of such support is required, especially now that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to upgrading all existing dams and constructing new ones to scale up irrigation farming and achieve food sufficiency as well as improve hydropower generation in the country.”

He added that with more states showing interest in participating in the SPIN project, additional funding is necessary to help them fully benefit, expand food production, create jobs, and strengthen the economy.

The World Bank team, in turn, praised the Nigerian government’s support for the TRIMING project and the swift kickoff of the SPIN project under Prof. Utsev’s leadership. 

Umolu assured the Minister of the Bank’s continued backing to ensure the project delivers a real impact on Nigerians.

Source: TheAuthority