AGS NEWS – The Federal Government has sought a $500 million loan from the World Bank to enhance dam safety and improve water resource management nationwide.

This loan aims to tackle water security issues and boost agricultural productivity through the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project.

According to a World Bank Project Information Document posted on Monday, the SPIN project will focus on four key areas: institutional strengthening and capacity building, irrigation modernization, improvements in dam operations and safety, and project management. The proposed approval date for the project is September 26, 2024.

The project will bolster federal and state institutions responsible for water resource management by developing national dam safety guidelines, training in water resources and irrigation management, and creating a comprehensive hydropower master plan.

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The document states, “Nigeria faces water security challenges affecting water availability for drinking, energy, and food production, worsened by climate change.

Effective water management is essential for adapting to and mitigating climate change effects.

Nigeria has over 400 dams, many in need of rehabilitation, with a combined storage of 59 billion cubic meters.

Proper dam management is hindered by inadequate budgets, human resources, and capacity at both federal and state levels.”

The document also highlighted that the devastating 2022 floods, causing an estimated $6.7 billion in economic damage, underscore the urgent need for improved dam safety and water management.

In the irrigation modernization area, the government plans to rehabilitate and modernize 40,000 hectares of irrigated land and establish Water User Associations for efficient irrigation management.

For dam safety, the project will focus on rehabilitating priority dams, conducting risk assessments, preparing emergency action plans, and implementing structural safety improvements.

The final area involves ensuring effective project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation by establishing a Federal Project Management Unit and Technical Units at both federal and state levels.