Water Resources Minister Tasks SPIN Project Staff On Food Security

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Terlumun Utsev, has tasked the management and staff of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria, SPIN Project, to intensify efforts toward achieving food security, effective dam management and improved hydropower generation in the country.

Professor Utsev gave the charge during a working visit to the SPIN Project Office in Abuja.

The Minister reminded the staff that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to delivering on its Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of agriculture, energy and infrastructure development.

He noted that SPIN, as a flagship intervention under the Ministry, plays a critical role in expanding irrigated agriculture, strengthening dam operations and boosting hydropower generation nationwide.

According to Professor Utsev, improved irrigation and efficient water resource management are key policy drivers for enhanced food production, job creation and economic stability, stressing that the SPIN Project must meet its target to support national development goals.

The Minister commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the World Bank for supporting the smooth take-off of the project, adding that SPIN is expected to significantly increase agricultural productivity, enhance power supply through hydropower generation, create employment opportunities for youths and improve the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians.

He also praised the management and staff of the project for the progress recorded so far and urged them to sustain the momentum in line with government policy objectives.

In his response, the National Coordinator of the SPIN Project, Mr. Ipinlaye Olaiya, thanked the Minister, the Permanent Secretary and the management of the Ministry for their continued support, which he said has contributed to the successful take-off of the project.

Mr. Olaiya reaffirmed the commitment of the SPIN team to fully deliver on its mandate and align project implementation with national priorities on food security, energy sustainability and inclusive economic growth.

The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria Project is designed to strengthen water resource management, scale up irrigated agriculture and improve hydropower generation as part of the Federal Government’s broader development strategy.

The Minister accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Emanso Umobong, and Directors of the Ministry senior officials of the Ministry, later inspected the project’s proposed new office complex located in Apo, Abuja.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji