In a significant partnership aimed at advancing irrigation development in Nigeria, the Federal Government is teaming up with the World Bank to bolster the nation’s agricultural sector.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, shed light on the remarkable progress achieved through Nigeria’s ongoing Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) Project.
This announcement was made in a press release signed by Funmi Imuetinyan, Head of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation on Wednesday.
The disclosure took place during a meeting held at the Ministry’s Conference room in Abuja, where representatives from the ministry and the World Bank Team on Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN)/TRIMING Project convened.
Prof. Utsev underscored the essential link between economic sustainability and food security, emphasizing the pivotal role played by the TRIMING Project in boosting food production within the nation.
He warmly welcomed the proposal to succeed the TRIMING Project, which is set to conclude next year, with the Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria (SPIN) by the World Bank. This new initiative is expected to address critical challenges related to food sufficiency in the country.
The Minister reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to President’s agenda, particularly focusing on priorities such as food security, advancements in irrigation techniques, and improved farming practices nationwide.
Prof. Utsev expressed profound gratitude to the World Bank team for the remarkable progress achieved over the past nine years.
He expressed optimism that this initiative, intended as a long-term engagement, will yield even more substantial results.
In his remarks, Mr. Jun Matsumoto, the SPIN/TRIMING World Bank lead, acknowledged the successful transformation of irrigation asset management, largely attributable to the establishment of Water Users Associations.
These associations have played a pivotal role in ensuring the sustainable management of irrigation resources, and he called for continued support to achieve the project’s objectives.
Mr. Matsumoto emphasized the critical importance of collaboration in the upcoming SPIN project.
He elaborated on the project’s core objectives, which include leveraging existing water resources infrastructure to address the nation’s water resources and energy requirements.
Furthermore, he revealed that the project will encompass comprehensive technical assistance studies, with a particular focus on large-scale water resources management and the development of multi-purpose dam hydropower projects.
He concluded by highlighting the collaborative efforts involving other Ministries, with the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Agriculture also contributing to this collective endeavor.
This significant meeting was attended by the Honourable Minister of State, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., and the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, alongside members of the World Bank Team and several Technical Directors, underscoring the commitment of multiple stakeholders to the success of this transformative irrigation development initiative.