A memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the implementation of the Hydropower component of the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria, SPIN, Project has been signed by the Ministries of Water Resources and Sanitation and Power.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, alongside both permanent Secretaries from the two ministries signed the MOU in Abuja.
Professor Utsev while expressing delight for the new opportunities that the SPIN project would create for Nigeria said the MOU was in line with the ministrry’s mandate in enhancing food production and eradicating poverty across the country.
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for accepting the SPIN Project and other programmes aimed at ensuring Nigerians enjoyed dividends of democracy.
On his part, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu described the project as an opportunity for the country to achieve energy security and sustainability.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Richard Pheelangua was of the opinion that the MOU signified a critical step in harnessing the potential inherent in the country’s hydropower sector.
The Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) Project is a World Bank $500 million developmental initiative to strengthen dam safety and improve management of water resources for hydropower and irrigation in selected areas of Nigeria.
The project comprises of four components which includes institutional strengthening and capacity building for water resources management support policy, rehabilitation and revitalization of 40,000 irrigated command areas, improving dam operations and enhancing dam safety as well as effectively implementing, monitoring and evaluating project activities.
