FG unveils bold plan to irrigate 500,000 hectares, generate 30GW power under SPIN project

DDM News

The Federal Government has launched the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project.

The project targets irrigation of 500,000 hectares and 30 gigawatts of sustainable power generation across the country, Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports.

This ambitious initiative was announced during the SPIN Project Steering Committee’s inaugural meeting in Abuja.

Professor Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, chaired the meeting and unveiled the government’s vision.

He emphasized the project’s focus on boosting food, water, and energy security nationwide.

Utsev said SPIN will help Nigeria adapt to floods, droughts, and climate change.

He noted that the project builds upon lessons from the successful TRIMING Project.

The TRIMING Project empowered Water User Associations (WUAs) to manage irrigation systems effectively.

Under TRIMING, about 32,000 hectares of land were rehabilitated for large-scale farming.

This improved food production and rural livelihoods across various regions.

SPIN is backed by a $500 million loan facility from the World Bank.

The project will adopt a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for irrigation and hydropower development.

It also promotes stakeholder involvement at both federal and state levels.

SPIN has four major components focused on infrastructure and water governance.

Seventeen states qualified for participation after meeting strict criteria.

These include enacting WUA laws and providing funds for irrigation management.

States also had to allocate counterpart funding to support the project.

Utsev stressed the transparency of the state selection process.

He said SPIN’s structure clearly defines each stakeholder’s responsibilities.

The Steering Committee serves as the top decision-making body for the project.

Utsev chairs the committee alongside the Minister of Power as co-chair.

Other members include ministers of Agriculture, Environment, Budget, and state commissioners.

Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, the ministry’s permanent secretary, welcomed members to the meeting.

He said the SPIN Project formally begins implementation with this meeting.

Pheelangwah described SPIN as a convergence of national development goals.

He highlighted its alignment with agriculture, energy, and water priorities.

World Bank Team Leader, Engr. Chinedu Umolu, praised Nigeria’s commitment.

He commended the inauguration of the Steering Committee for the SPIN Project.

SPIN is expected to modernize irrigation and power infrastructure nationwide.

It will foster resilience, governance, and sustainable development across sectors.

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