NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Loading

Tag World Bank

Environment

Slow Implementation of $700m SURWASH programme worrisome- FG

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government on Thursday expressed concerns over the poor implementation of the 700 million dollars Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) programme by state governments.

This was the thrust at the High-Level Advocacy meeting with seven state governors implementing the SURWASH programme in Abuja.

The programme is being implemented in Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau states.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said that the meeting aimed to inform and encourage the governors on the programme’s progress and future expectations.

He said that the SURWASH programme, now in its third year of a six-year initiative, had not met expectations in terms of implementation and disbursement.

Utsev attributed the slow progress to a lack of understanding and awareness among the governors, who play a key role in its execution.

He said that plans were in place to visit the seven participating states to assess progress, provide guidance, and invite other states to join in expanding its impact.

He expressed optimism about the governors’ commitment, stating that with proper support and guidance, the programme would achieve its objectives.

He further said that expanding participation to more states could enhance the programme’s effectiveness and contribute to broader democratic development.

World Bank Country Director, Mr Ndiame Diop, said Nigeria’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) situation wqs in a state of emergency, failing to reflect the nation’s ambitions.

“It does not reflect the ambition of Nigeria; as a big family here, we should be candid about the fact, ” he said.

Diop said that Nigeria invested an average of only 0.32 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually in WASH services, significantly below the African average of 0.7 per cent.

He said that that at least 1.3 per cent of GDP was required to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), saying that Nigeria is currently lagging behind.

According to Diop, approximately 60 million Nigerians lack access to basic drinking water services, while 80 million do not have adequate washing facilities.

He said that 167 million people lacked access to basic sanitation, and around 48 million Nigerians still practised open defecation.

The country director also pointed out that only eight per cent of the population engaged in safe hygiene practices, while just 10 per cent had access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services combined.

Katsina State Governor, Dr Dikko Radda, said that the importance of addressing water supply and hygiene issues was to reduce hospital admissions and improve public health.

Radda said that over the past two years, the project had seen only about 40 per cent completion, falling short of the expected 70 per cent to 80 per cent.

The governor attributed this slow progress to a lack of clarity among state governments about their roles and programme benefits.

He stressed the need for continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Water Resources and sanitation, the World Bank, and the states to ensure effective resource utilisation.

Radda said that Katsina State had a procurement plan worth N20 billion, of which N15 billion was currently available.

“An additional five billion Naira is expected to be secured by the end of the year to support the project’s completion.

“For 2025, the state has allocated N50 billion in its budget for further initiatives, ” he said.

The governor noted the need to improve water supply and hygiene in Nigeria, which would have a significant positive impact on public health.

The meeting was attended by some governors and their representatives, commissioners for water resources, officials from the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Women Affairs, secretaries to state governments, and WASH stakeholders (NAN).


Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

Environment

World Bank to support Nigeria in turning forests to economic hubs

By Abigael Joshua

The World Bank has pledged to support the Federal Government in turning Nigerian forests to economic hubs.

Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when he hosted a World Bank team.

The team was led by Ndiame Diop, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, and Chakib Jenane, Regional Director for West and Central Africa on ACReSAL Project.

“The issue of insecurity around the forests can be curbed by making the forests economic hubs where activities and infrastructures would take place to forestall the activities of bandits.’’

The minister said that the support from the World Bank would enable the Federal Government to sustain and expand the forests.

According to him, all hands are on deck to address the issues of forest.

“The World Bank is going to support us create communities around the coastal areas through our frame work.

“The coast lines are Lagos to Calabar where we would collaborate with these states governors,’’ the minister said.

Lawal assured that the issues of logging among others would be tackled as there must be a balance between cultivation and forest.

The minister commended the present administration for the creation of blue economy, saying it was the first of its kind in the history of the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that ACReSAL Project tackles land degradation and climate change in 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The collaboration between the Nigerian Government and the World Bank underscores the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability. (NAN) (www.nannewa.ng)

Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Environment

FG seeks more World Bank funding to address water, sanitation challenges

By Tosin Kolade

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev on Monday urged the World Bank to increase funding and support to address pressing water and sanitation challenges facing the country.

Utsev made the call during a meeting with the outgoing and incoming World Bank Country Directors, Mr Shubham Chaudhuri and Ndiame Diop, respectively, in Abuja.

Acknowledging Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the World Bank, Utsev stressed its pivotal role, noting that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is committed to advancing livelihoods through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The agenda, he said, encompassed initiatives aimed at enhancing electricity provision, strengthening food production via irrigation farming, ensuring access to safe water, and improving sanitation.

He said the ministry was anticipating further funding for the Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project for Nigeria (SPIN).

Utsev expressed optimism that the initiative would not only generate employment opportunities for the youth, but also augment power generation and agricultural output, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of citizens.

The minister reiterated the Federal Government’s dedication to engaging Nigerian youth in productive endeavors such as agriculture, along with other youth-centric programmes initiated by the President.

Earlier, Chaudhuri commended Nigeria’s strides in the water and sanitation sector and assured the minister of the organisation’s continued support under the new leadership.

He thanked the people and government of Nigeria in their support for all World Bank interventions, saying such assistance should be given to his predecessor.

In response, the incoming Country Director, Ndiame Diop, affirmed the World Bank’s commitment to collaborating closely with the ministry to identify priority areas for intervention.

Additionally, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Alhaji Shehu Shinkafi, urged the World Bank to expedite the approval process for grants to enable the country to benefit more from its interventions.

In a related development, the minister also met with the team from Self Help Africa, led by its Country Director, Dr Joy Aderele.

Utsev urged the organisation to promote efforts against open defecation, particularly in rural areas.

He emphasised the importance of educating rural dwellers about the hazards of open defecation and the necessity of using proper sanitation facilities to achieve a healthier and more prosperous nation.

This, he noted aligned with the target of achieving Open Defecation Free status by 2025. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

 

Group photograph of the Honourable Minister, the Permanent Secretary and the team from World Bank.

Education

Adamawa Govt, World Bank disburse N296m for public school construction

By Talatu Maiwada

The Adamawa Government in collaboration with Global Partnership for Education(GPE), a World Bank assisted programme disbursed N296m grant for the construction of eight public schools in Adamawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that each of the selected eight public schools received N37 million for the project.

The cost of 15 other schools selected for rehabilitation under same programme would be determined upon inspection of deplorable nature of the benefiting schools.

Speaking during a ceremony to commemorate the disbursement on Friday in Yola, the state Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, underscored the importance of education as a priority area of the administration.

“Education is a priority area for the state government. The construction and rehabilitation of  schools would create a conducive learning environment for our children,” she said.

Farauta called on the School Based Management Commitees (SBMC) responsible for the project delivery in various local government communities, to be accountable and transparent in utilising the funds.

Malam Umar Garba, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, said the grant was meant to turn around infrastructure of schools in the state.

Garba said that the selection of beneficiary schools was objective and devoid of bias or political interferences, adding that eight schools would be constructed and 15 renovated.

The commissioner stated that the project was a collective delivery by each community, and meeting the criteria and benchmark set by World Bank would determine the next phase of the project.

The National Project Coordinator, Dr Olatunji David, said the project was significant with the agenda of the Federal Ministry of Education in developing a road map in Nigeria educational sector.

Represented by the State Project Coordinator, Mr Michael Medugu, David said the GPE was providing support to three focus states of Oyo, Adamawa and Kastina to address issues of access and learning outcomes.

“We are about to witness transformation in schools’  infrastructure that are under served or hard to reach either for construction or renovation with basic amenities.

“This is to make learning conducive for learners, increase enrollment and ultimately reduce the menace of out of school children, ” the project coordinator said.

The state Chairman of SBMC, Malam Galadima Isa, who spoke on behalf of the benefiting schools, promised quality and transparent execution of the job at the end of the project. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Yakubu Uba/Sadiya Hamza

Left-Right: Mr Franz Drees-Gross, World Bank Regional Director (West Africa) Infrastructure, Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank Nigeria Country Director
Science & Tech

FG, World Bank target $3bn to fund broadband infrastructure – Tijani

By Jessica Dogo

The Federal Government and the World Bank are targeting three billion dollars to fund additional 120,000km fibre optic cables to leapfrog broadband infrastructure and connectivity in Nigeria.

The Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ engagement with the theme “Realising a Nigerian Vision of Broadband for All”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Ministry of Communications in conjunction with World Bank.

Tijani, who expressed hope that the funds would be raised in the next two or three years, said the project involved stakeholders from the private sector, and that it would be delivered in the next three years.

According to him, it has become imperative to seek investments in the nation’s digital backbone to facilitate access at affordable prices to the digital space for all Nigerians.

“We are here with critical stakeholders on how to attract investments and fund our broadband infrastructure.

“I am sure everybody that is listening to me probably understand that now we cannot do without technology on internet; so, we all need quality access regardless of our location.

“There is need for us to invest in that databank. So, it is the kind of thing that we call the telecommunications infrastructure, or in some cases, we call the fibre optic cables.

“So, there is actually a cable that helps us make it possible for internet to happen,” minister said.

According to him, Nigeria has laid 3,035km fiber optic cables, but 120,000km fiber optic cables would be required for Nigerians to have quality and efficient access to the Internet and other digital services irrespective of their locations.

In his remarks, Mr Franz Drees-Gross, the World Bank Regional Director, (Infrastructure) West and Central Africa, said the first phase of the project would involve laying 95,000km fiber optic cables across Nigeria.

Drees-Gross said it would improve access and digital services content in the country.

He described Nigeria digital ecosystem as vibrant, adding that the World Bank was deeply involved and interested in supporting Nigeria to raise the needed funds for the project.

“We plan to set up a digital National Broadband fund and to roll out about 95,000 kilometers of what we call middle mile cable.

“That is the terrestrial cable in the territory of Nigeria to bring broadband to more parts of the country.

“I think Nigeria has about 35,000 kilometers of broadband cable. The idea is to add another 95,000 and what we are discussing with the government is what is the best way to finance that?

According to him, Nigeria has a very impressive and vibrant digital ecosystem in Lagos, adding that Nigeria can be the hub for exporting digital services to West Africa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

Environment

CSOs seek inclusion in $700m World Bank water, sanitation programme

By Tosin Kolade

The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) has called for the inclusion of its members in the implementation of the 700 million dollars World Bank- funded water, sanitation and hygiene Programme.

The programme, called the Sustainable Urban, Rural Water Supply Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Project is being implemented in seven states of Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Katsina, Kaduna and Plateau.

NEWSAN National Coordinator, Mr Benson Attah, made this call at a virtual meeting with its state representatives for SURWASH programme states on Thursday.

According to him, the meeting is an opportunity to discuss ways forward in ensuring that the programme implementation is beneficial for the population.

He said that its members in the implementing states were not carried along in implementation processes, adding that coordination was necessary to improve access to water and sanitation in the country.

Attah identified the CSOs as partners in efforts toward improving the lives of the populace, adding that identifying gaps and challenges in programme implementation early would help in achieving its goals.

“Today’s meeting is to follow up with SURWASH states to strengthen collaboration for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. We are working to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

“NEWSAN’s contribution is to give technical support for effective and smooth running of the programme; our states are well prepared to support implementation. The essence is to see that all stakeholders function well for the programme success.”

Mr Princewill Mordi, NEWSAN deputy national coordinator, noted that many SURWASH states were not consulted, citing the lack of coordination between the implementing partners.

According to him, there is the need for the World Bank to strengthen and include its work plan in order to improve access to potable water and sanitation for Nigerians.

He said that building human capacity through NEWSAN would help to end challenges of project management and implementation in the programme.

State Coordinators from Kaduna, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Plateau, Katsina all noted that programme implementation in the state had excluded their members.

They spoke about their activities since programme commencement in 2021, but worried about SURWASH state programme implementation units only mapping WASH CSOs but neglecting them.

Mr Peter Kuzasuwat, Kaduna state coordinator, said its members were mobilised and sensitised about the programme implementation in six LGAs, adding that three of them were included in steering committee in the state programme.

He however listed the challenges and gaps due to bureaucratic delays, saying this made implementation slow.

“There are a lot of foot dragging due to bureaucratic bottlenecks; this is making the implementation process slow. There is the need to redouble efforts so that the vision of an open defecation free nation by 2025 is achieved.

Mrs Felicia Ngaji, SURWASH Communications Specialist, said the programme is a six-year programme consisting of a US$640 million Program-for-Results (PforR) with a US$60 million Investment Project Financing (IPF) component.

She said it introduces a results-based approach with the potential to propel Nigeria’s efforts to ensure that all its people have access to sustainable and safely managed WASH services.

“It introduces an innovative approach to sector programming that leverages incentives to simultaneously deliver infrastructure that works, policies that govern, and institutions that sustain.

“It is to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services and to strengthen sector institutions in participating states of Nigeria”.

Ngaji, however, urged NEWSAN and its members to work with the implementing agencies in their respective states in line with the programme operating manual.

NAN reports that SURWASH will provide six million people with basic drinking water services and 1.4 million people access to improved sanitation services.

The programme will deliver improved water, sanitation and hygiene services to 2,000 schools and health care facilities and assist 500 Communities to achieve open defecation free status. (NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Food Security

World Bank pledges to reposition Nigeria’s irrigation farming for economic development

By Tosin Kolade

The World Bank announced its commitment to reposition Nigeria’s irrigation farming for sustainable economic development and for food security on Thursday in Abuja.

It announced the commitment when its team on Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria/ Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria, (SPIN/TRIMING) project officials visited the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.

The officials were led by Mr Jun Matsumoto, the Team Lead.

Matsumoto acknowledged the successful transformation of irrigation asset management in Nigeria through the establishment of water users associations.


He noted the pivotal role played by the associations in ensuring the sustainable management of irrigation resources and called for support in achieving the project’s objectives.

He emphasised the critical importance of collaboration in the upcoming SPIN project and elaborated on its core objectives.

Matsumoto said one of the objectives was the utilisation of existing water resources infrastructure to address Nigeria’s water resources and energy requirements.

He said the project would include comprehensive technical assistance studies focused on large-scale water resources management, and the development of multi-purpose dam hydropower projects.

Responding, Prof. Utsev said achievements already recorded in Nigeria’s TRIMING project was impressive.

He emphasised the integral connection between economic sustainability and food security underlining the TRIMING project’s pivotal role in enhancing food production.

The minister welcomed the proposal to replace TRIMING, set to expire in 2024, with SPIN, saying it would address Nigeria’s pressing challenges in the area of food sufficiency.

Prof. Utsev reaffirmed Federal Government’s commitment to food security, improved irrigation techniques, and enhanced farming practices across the country.

He expressed gratitude to the World Bank for the remarkable progress recorded on the project over the past nine years and expressed optimism that it would yield even more significant outcomes.

TRIMING strengthened quality of and access to productivity-enhancing and market access services for 130,000 farmers in four rehabilitated irrigation schemes.

They are the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme in Zamfara, Middle Rima Irrigation Scheme in Sokoto State, Kano River Irrigation Scheme, and Hadejia Valley Irrigation Scheme in Jigawa.

The project provides technical assistance to establish a Farmers’ Management Centre at each of the irrigation schemes. (NAN)

Edited by Alli Hakeem

Environment

Yobe Govt, World Bank engage stakeholders on flood prevention

By Ahmed Abba

Gov Mai Mala Buni of Yobe, has urged local government authorities to sensitise residents on the dangers of floods and the importance of adhering to early warning responses in a sustainable manner.

Buni said this at a workshop on Flood Disaster Preparedness, organised by the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), with funding from the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).

He also urged community leaders to take precautionary measures to clear blocked drainages and embankments to avert flood.

Buni, represented by Baba Malam-Wali, said the workshop was to enhance the state’s readiness and response to potential flooding based on NIMET’s predictions.

[irp posts=”10460″ ]

Also, Dr Mohammed Goje, the Executive Secretary SEMA, explained that the flooding experience in 2022 had tested the agency’s capacity in terms of preparedness, mitigation, and response.

He stated that many lives were lost, shelters and farmlands washed away, and roads cut off, limiting the agency in delivering aid to some affected victims.

He said following previous experiences, Buni had directed the agency to develop a blueprint to prevent a reoccurrence.

The ACReSAL Project Coordinator, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed, commended SEMA for organising the workshop, describing it as timely.

He also highlighted some of the ACReSAL multiple projects toward reducing the effects of climate change in the state. (NAN)

Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi

Metro

Subsidy Removal: NG-CARES structures can coordinate distribution of palliatives – World bank

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and
Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) social protection structures in 36 states and the FCT can effectively coordinate the distribution of the proposed Federal Government palliatives across the country.

Prof. Foluso Okunmadewa, World Bank Task Team Leader for NG-CARES, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Abuja.

”The CARES programme is in all the 36 states and the FCT. It is being supported by the Federal Government and the World Bank both in terms of financial resources and technically assistance.

”States are currently using their own implementing units to deliver services and goods to the poor and vulnerable in their states in all the three major areas that the programme supports,” he said.

Okunmadewa also said that states have the manpower, institutions and structures to be able to support the poor and vulnerable the way they are currently structure.

” They have social protection structures, they van transfer cash because they have a very solid registry managed by the states planning ministries and they have a database of the poor.

” They also have a good mechanism, one of the best in the world for identifying the poor and vulnerable which they have been using since 2015 and up to date every state have been able to use it for several programme that international partners are even supporting in all the 36 states and the FCT,” he said.

Similarly, the don said states have staff that are trained in agriculture to support farmers and they also have mechanism to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSMEs).

” Some of them are partnering with the Bank of Industry to provide assistance to MSMEs. So, they already have shock responsive mechanisms.

”The only thing that is lacking is resources in the hands of these states to cover more ground and this is where the world bank and development partners come in

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of NG-CARES, Dr Abdulkarim Obaje, said the structures that are being used to implement the NG-CARES programmes are owned by state governments and have the paraphernalia in terms of institutions, staff and funding to a large extent.

” The NG-CARES formation was brought about by the governor’s themselves, they requested for it,” he said.

Obaje said that the removal of fuel subsidy and the palliatives being planned, are some ”shock responsive mechanisms” that the NG-CARES structures being state-government owned initiative, have the capacity to manage.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

From L - R Engr Ifeanyi of Nayo Tropical Technologies Ltd, Engr Ahmad Salihijo Ahmed - MD/CEO REA Elizabeth Huybens - World Bank Director of Strategy and Operations for the Western and Central African Region, Arsh Sharma - Task Team Lead, World Bank for the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP)
Economy/Business , General News

World Bank to boost Nigeria’s electrification project with $750m – Official

By Constance Athekame

The World Bank said on Tuesday that it planned to commit additional 750 million dollars to deepen Nigerians access to electricity through the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP).

Ms Elizabeth Huybens, the World Bank’s Director of Strategy and Operations for Western Central African Region, said this while inspecting the 60 KiloWatts Mini Grid Project in Kilankwa Community, Kwali Area Council of Abuja.

The project is being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through NEP.

“This is our first national electrification project we see at work here, about $350 million is coming to a close, and we are preparing a successor project that will be $750 million.

“ We are definitely extending our support to something that we think is critical and Nigeria is leading the world in small grid development,” she said.

Huybens said that the Kilankwa project would assist the country in providing access to electricity to more people faster than it could have done by just extending the national grid.

“So, I am very impressed that the grids in small communities works and there is also the foresight to think about how one can fully optimise the use of the electricity generated to expand productive activities.

“Like the rice mill that we have just seen, I hope that in future, we will see a lot more of that,” she said.

The director said that the project was considered because the bank believed that access to electricity by all was one of the most important goals to pursue by any country.

According to her, without electricity, it is hard to think about how communities can live, adding that kids cannot study at night.

“We cannot move toward electric vehicles, if we don’t have electricity. In fact, you cannot even charge your cell phone without electricity.

“So, it is hard for me to think about modern life without electricity and it is hard for me to think about reducing poverty without access to electricity.

”And since the World Bank’s overarching goal is to help countries eradicate poverty, we need to help them provide access to electricity for its population,’’ Huybens said.

The Managing Director, REA, Mr Ahmad Salihijo, said that the project was currently serving about 300 households and businesses.

Salihijo said that the project was developed by the World Bank under the Performance-Based Grant of NEP.

“This has been operational for some time now. So, we are privileged to have come here with the World Bank team to see how it is performing.

“We are working on ensuring productive use and also that we have energy-efficient equipment connected to the mini grid,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Mr Ayuba Yabo, a Rice Miller, commended the Federal Government and the World Bank for bringing the project to their community.

Yabo said that the project had assisted him to reduce the cost of diesel to run his business and enabled him make more profit. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==============
Edited by Chinyere Bassey/Oluyinka Fadare