By Seun Ibiyemi
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the World Bank to accelerate access to safe water, improve irrigation, and enhance food security across Nigeria.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made this known on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from the World Bank at his office in Abuja.
Utsev said the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises expanding access to safe water, achieving food security through irrigated agriculture, and creating employment opportunities for Nigerians.
He 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 initiatives being executed by the ministry with the support of the global development institution.
According to the minister, the projects are expected to improve water infrastructure, strengthen agricultural productivity and contribute to sustainable socio-economic development across the country.
Utsev also assured the World Bank delegation of the ministry’s participation in the forthcoming Africa Water Forum scheduled to hold later this month in N’Djamena, Chad.
He said the forum would provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase the reforms being implemented under the Renewed Hope Agenda to expand access to safe and sustainable water services, particularly in underserved communities.
The minister added that the country would also highlight investment opportunities in Nigeria’s water sector to attract greater support from development partners and private investors.
Earlier, the World Bank Task Team Leader for the SPIN Project, Zack Zieglhifer, and Co-Task Team Leader, Engr. Chinedu Umolu, said their visit was to confirm the ministry’s participation in the Africa Water Forum.
They explained that the event, being hosted by West African countries in collaboration with the World Bank and other development partners, would feature high-level discussions aimed at shaping policy decisions and securing concrete commitments to improve water security across the continent.
According to the delegation, the forum will place particular emphasis on innovative financing mechanisms to address Africa’s growing water security challenges and promote sustainable water resource management.
