The World Bank says it will invest in Gombe State’s irrigation system to strengthen food security, water management and climate resilience.
Chakib Jenane, the Bank’s Regional Director for Sustainable Development for Western and Central Africa, announced the plan on Thursday during a visit to Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau in Gombe.
Jenane said the renewed commitment followed the state’s progress in ongoing projects.
“We are impressed by what we have seen here. Your achievements encourage us to do more,” he said.
He led a World Bank team assessing ongoing interventions and confirmed that new support would focus on agriculture under the SPIN project.
According to him, the SPIN project will expand irrigation infrastructure, directly supporting farmers and improving water use efficiency.
Jenane added that discussions had begun on a future programme centred on agriculture, particularly agribusiness.
He said the team’s visit had enabled them to “see concretely on the ground what has been achieved” and better understand local needs and areas where deeper support was required.
Jatau praised the Bank’s role in addressing environmental challenges in the state, noting that its interventions had protected vital infrastructure from erosion.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the partnership, saying it would help close infrastructure gaps and improve livelihoods.
The SPIN project, valued at 500 million dollars, is supported by the World Bank and aims to deliver major multi-purpose infrastructure for irrigation and hydropower generation nationwide.
