In the statement which was issued by the Communications Associate to the World Bank in Abuja, Mr Bamidele Oladokun, the approval was made by the bank's executive directors to boost farmers' drainage services and maximize their access to irrigation.
The statement also mentioned that the money was given to provide water for agricultural institutions for effective resources management.
The statement said;
“The board also intends to enhance delivery of agricultural services in selected large-scale public schemes in the Northern Nigeria.
“This will be done through a project, ”Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING).
“TRIMING will improve existing irrigation on 27, 000 hectares, irrigate an additional 23, 000 hectares, and benefit more than 140, 000 farmers, while mobilising private sector investment.
“It marks a transformational effort to improve large-scale public irrigation for expanding food production and encourage economic growth in rural areas.
“This is necessary to end poverty and boost prosperity, as well as enhance resilience of agriculture production systems.’’
A section of the statement also contained some quotes from Mr Jamal Saghir, Vice-President for Africa Region, which says:
“Unlocking Africa’s development potential requires interventions in key sectors, such as energy and water.
“By taking a comprehensive approach, the TRIMING project will increase farm productivity, build climate resilience and reduce flooding risks.
“It will also improve the lives and well-being of millions of Nigerian citizens in Africa’s largest economy.”
“The Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) is a major initiative to drive rural income growth, accelerate achievement of food and nutritional security, and generate employment.
“The bank’s portfolio of projects in agriculture, including research, extension and technology dissemination, market access and value addition, was fully geared towards supporting the implementation of the ATA.
“Reaching the ATA’s goals requires pursuing an ambitious policy and institutional reform agenda, and transforming public irrigation will play an important role for securing sustainable growth of food production," it stated.
In the same statement, the Director of World Bank in Nigeria, Miss Marie-Francoise Nelly, was quoted as saying:
“In Nigeria’s determination to diversify and integrate its economy, the project will help in three vital ways.
“By restoring agricultural productivity, creating job opportunities for a large number of unskilled young people, and creating conditions for growth and peace in the Northern Nigeria
“The project will help to set-up Water User Associations (WUAs) and engage local communities in setting, collecting, and allocating water user fees.
“It will also help support the design of a comprehensive reform package for water resources management and irrigation in Nigeria.
However, according to the statement, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources (FMWR), would be in charge of executing the project and this would be effective from from 1st October, 2014.
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