ABUJA – Prof. Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, has commended the World Bank for its approval of $500million for Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project in Nigeria (SPIN).
Utsev gave the commendation during a courtesy visit by the World Bank Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Chakib Jenane, who was accompanied by senior management staff of the World Bank including the Country Director,Ndiame Diop.
The aim of the visit was to discuss key World Bank-supported initiatives in Nigeria and at the same time, to announce the Bank’s recent approval of the $500 million Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project in Nigeria (SPIN).
L-R: World Bank Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Chakib Jenane; Honourable Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation Rt. Hon.Bello Muhammad Goronyo; Honourable Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev; World Bank Country Director Ndiame Diop; Permanent Secretary, Richard Pheelangwah
During the meeting, Utsev expressed Nigeria’s appreciation for the World Bank’s continuous support on projects that mostly impacted the lives of Nigerians.
He assured the delegation that all policies and projects backed by the World Bank would receive counterpart support from the Nigerian government, particularly projects which fall within the ambit of technical expertise in order to ensure the successful realisation of such projects for the benefit of all Nigerians.
He also noted 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.
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The Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, also expressed his gratitude to the World Bank team for approving the SPIN project.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to collaborative efforts to ensure the success of the project, emphasising the Ministry’s determination to see it through effectively.
In his remarks, the World Bank Regional Director for Sustainable Infrastructure Development for West and Central Africa, Chakib Jenane, shared the good news of the World Bank’s approval of the $500 million SPIN project, which was granted during the World Bank Board meeting held on September 26, 2024.
He emphasised the need for Nigeria to continue preparations to meet the remaining conditions necessary for the project’s effectiveness, which is slated for January 2025.
In addition to the SPIN project, the World Bank team discussed the TRIMING project, which is due soon and also provided updates on the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme, highlighting the importance of involving more States in the initiative.
The World Bank team encouraged the Ministry to explore the establishment of a National WASH Fund, which is to be achieved by the Ministry under Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI) 1 of the SURWASH programme.
