The Federal Government of Nigeria is seeking a $500 million loan from the World Bank to enhance dam safety and improve water resource management across the country.
According to the World Bank’s Project Information Document (PID) for the proposed project, this loan aims to tackle Nigeria’s water security issues and boost agricultural productivity through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project (SPIN).
Documents reviewed by Nairametrics indicate that the proposed approval date for the SPIN project is September 26, 2024.
About the Loan Project
The SPIN project targets four key areas: Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building, Irrigation Modernization, Improvements in Dam Operations and Safety, and Project Management.
This project will strengthen federal and state institutions responsible for water resource management. It includes developing national dam safety guidelines, training for water resources and irrigation management, and creating a comprehensive hydropower master plan.
In the second area, the federal government plans to rehabilitate and modernize 40,000 hectares of irrigated land. It will also establish and empower Water User Associations (WUAs) to manage irrigation schemes efficiently.
The third area focuses on rehabilitating and enhancing the safety of priority dams, including conducting risk assessments, preparing emergency action plans, and implementing structural safety improvements.
The final area ensures effective project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. This component includes establishing a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU) and Technical Units (TUs) at both federal and state levels.
