The Federal Government has commended the World Bank Group for its contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly in the areas of sustainable infrastructure and water resource management.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, gave the commendation when the World Bank’s team, including the Country Director Ndiame Diop, was led by the Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Chakib Jenane, on a working visit to his ministry.
The visit was paid the minister to discuss key World Bank-supported initiatives in Nigeria and to announce the bank’s recent approval of the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project in Nigeria (SPIN).
During the meeting, Utsev assured the delegation that all policies and projects backed by the World Bank would receive counterpart support from the Nigeria government, particularly projects which fall within the ambit of technical expertise in order to ensure the successful realization of these projects for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He also stressed the urgency of completing the Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project, reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to meet the project’s January 2025 deadline.
In his remarks, Jenane spoke on World Bank’s approval of the $500 million SPIN project during the development finance institution Board’s meeting held on September 26, 2024.
The banker emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to continue preparations to meet the remaining conditions necessary for the project’s effectiveness, which is scheduled for January 2025.
In addition to the SPIN project, the World Bank team discussed the TRIMING project, which is due to kick off and also updated the minister on the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, stressing the importance of involving more states in the initiative.
Also, the World Bank team encouraged the ministry to consider the establishment of a National WASH Fund, which will be funded by the ministry under Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) 1 of the SURWASH programme.
Photo Caption
World Bank’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Chakib Jenane (left) in a warm handshake with the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, while the Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Rt. Hon. Bello Goronyo, watches during the announcement of the approval of the $500Mn Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project in Nigeria (SPIN) on Thursday in Abuja
