The World Bank has announced plans to invest in Gombe State’s irrigation system to boost food security, improve water management, and strengthen climate resilience. The commitment was confirmed on Thursday by Chakib Jenane, the regional director for Sustainable Development for Western and Central Africa, during a visit to Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau.
Jenane said the decision followed the Bank’s positive assessment of Gombe’s development efforts. “We are impressed by what we have seen here. Your achievements encourage us to do more,” he said. He led a team reviewing ongoing World Bank projects in the state and confirmed that the new support would be channelled through the SPIN project.
He explained that SPIN would expand irrigation facilities across the state. “This operation will directly support farmers and improve water use,” he said. Jenane added that discussions had also begun on a future programme focused on agriculture, with particular interest in agribusiness. He noted that observing progress in person would help the Bank “move forward and achieve more results together”.
The delegation examined the implementation of SURWASH, L-PRES, and ACReSAL. Jenane said the tour provided an opportunity to “see concretely on the ground what has been achieved” and helped the team understand community needs while identifying areas that require deeper support.
Deputy Governor Jatau praised the Bank’s contributions to environmental protection. “Your interventions have saved vital infrastructure from erosion,” he said. 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 and supported by the World Bank, aims to deliver large multi-purpose infrastructure for irrigation and hydropower generation across Nigeria.
