The Nigerian Government of Nigeria has requested a $500m loan from the World Bank to improve dam safety and enhance water resource management across the country.
This loan is expected to address the country’s water security challenges and boost agricultural productivity through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project (SPIN).
According to a World Bank’s Project Information Document for the proposed project posted on its website on Monday, the SPIN project focuses on four critical areas, which include institutional strengthening and capacity building; irrigation modernisation; improvements in dam operations and safety; and project management.
The proposed approval date for the SPIN project is September 26, 2024.
This area will reinforce federal and state institutions responsible for water eport as saying that resource management. It includes developing national dam safety guidelines, training for water resources and irrigation management, and creating a comprehensive hydropower master plan.
“Nigeria faces water security challenges, which impact water availability for drinking water, energy and food production, and are increasingly exacerbated by climate change, putting livelihoods and economic development at risk. Harnessing water storage and dam safety is central to climate change adaptation and mitigation in Nigeria. It is a prerequisite to improving water management for water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation and offers protection from floods and droughts,” local media reports quoted the document as saying.
It added Nigeria has over 400 dams and an estimated total combined storage of 59 billion cubic meters.
GIK/APA
Nigeria seeks $500m World Bank loan for dam, water management
