The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has appealed to the World Bank to increase funding and support to address pressing water and sanitation challenges across the country, to boost economic growth and food security.
He made the appeal during a courtesy visit by Mr. Ndiame Diop, the incoming Country Director of the World Bank to Nigeria, accompanied by his team, where Prof. Utsev underscored the ministry’s potential to spur employment opportunities and curtail criminal activities nationwide.
According to him, there’s a need to foster a robust partnership between the World Bank and the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to effectively pursue the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Prof. Utsev then emphasized the ministry’s anticipation of additional funding from the World Bank to facilitate the implementation of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria (SPIN).
He expressed optimism that the project would not only create job opportunities for youths but also bolster power generation, economic growth and food security.
While acknowledging the outgoing World Bank Country Director, Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, for his commendable service, Prof. Utsev extended gratitude and best wishes for his future endeavors.
He also affirmed his support for the incoming Director, Mr. Ndiame Diop, for a fruitful tenure ahead.
In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Alh. Aliyu Shehu Shinkafi, FCNA, emphasized the imperative of streamlining administrative processes within the World Bank to expedite fund disbursement for project execution.
The incoming World Bank Country Director, Mr. Ndiame Diop, in response, expressed eagerness for a strengthened partnership and continued collaboration with the Ministry.
He stressed the significance of sustained financial support for the Ministry’s projects and programs.
Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, the outgoing World Bank Country Director in Nigeria, commended Nigeria and the Ministry for their exemplary partnership.
He lauded Nigeria’s strides in the Water and Sanitation sector and assured continued support from the incoming Director to further advance the nation’s development goals.
