The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the World Bank to improve access to safe water and enhance food security across the country.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, gave the assurance on Wednesday while receiving a World Bank delegation led by the Task Team Leader for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project, Zack Zieglhifer, in Abuja.
Utsev said the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritised expanding access to safe water, boosting food production through irrigated agriculture and creating jobs for Nigerians.
He said closer collaboration with the World Bank would accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project and other high-impact initiatives being implemented by the ministry.
The minister also confirmed the ministry’s participation in the forthcoming Africa Water Forum scheduled to hold later in July in N’Djamena.
According to him, Nigeria will use the forum to showcase ongoing reforms aimed at expanding access to safe and sustainable water, especially in underserved communities, while promoting investment opportunities in the country’s water sector.
Earlier, Zack Zieglhifer and the SPIN Project Co-Task Team Leader, Mr Chinedu Umolu, said their visit was to confirm the ministry’s participation in the Africa Water Forum.
They said the forum, organised by West African countries, the World Bank and other development partners, would feature high-level discussions on water security, with strong emphasis on innovative financing and stronger regional collaboration.
They added that the meeting was expected to foster dialogue, shape policy decisions and secure commitments to improve water security across Africa.
