The ongoing security challenges in Zamfara State have posed a significant threat to the successful implementation of the World Bank-funded Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria (TRIMING) project, a critical initiative aimed at improving agricultural productivity and water resource management across Nigeria’s northern region.
Naija247news gathered that insecurity in Zamfara has severely disrupted construction activities at the Bakolori Irrigation Scheme (BIS), one of the key components of the $495.30 million project. As a result, workers have been forced to restrict their operations to daylight hours, limiting progress on multiple construction sites and threatening the timely completion of the project.
According to Naija247news, the TRIMING project, approved in 2014, seeks to enhance access to irrigation and drainage services, improve agricultural yields, and curb rural-urban migration by promoting sustainable farming. However, Zamfara’s security situation remains a significant obstacle to realizing the project’s full potential.
A recent Implementation Status & Results Report, obtained by Naija247news, revealed that despite these security challenges, the overall performance of the project is rated “Moderately Satisfactory.” The report specifically highlights how the security threats have prevented the completion of the planned rehabilitation at BIS, raising concerns about meeting the January 2025 project closure deadline.
“The security concerns in Zamfara State remained the single greatest threat to the full achievement of the target at BIS due to security management constraints, which prevent works outside of daylight hours and do not allow for simultaneous works on several sites,” the report noted.
Naija247news understands that despite the setbacks, a total of $373.69 million—representing 75.45% of the loan—has already been disbursed. The TRIMING project has made significant strides, particularly in improving access to over 33,000 hectares of irrigated land out of a targeted 37,600 hectares.
According to Naija247news, other achievements include rehabilitating infrastructure that has been handed over to farmers, enabling agricultural production to resume. Additionally, progress has been reported in the Kano River project, with 9,583 hectares of improved irrigation, and 5,547 hectares at Bakolori. A major milestone is the creation and operationalization of 839 water user associations (WUAs), which play a crucial role in sustainable water management.
The World Bank and the Federal Government of Nigeria remain committed to the TRIMING project’s goals, aligning with national agricultural objectives to develop 500,000 hectares of irrigated land by 2030. Naija247news gathered that the World Bank recently approved an extension of the project’s closing date to January 31, 2025, to facilitate the completion of repair works on the Tiga Dam and ongoing activities at BIS.
Naija247news also understands that the TRIMING project is set to transition into the Sustainable Power and Irrigation for Nigeria (SPIN) project, with a focus on climate resilience and enhanced water resource management. On September 26, 2024, the World Bank approved three new projects for Nigeria, including the $500 million SPIN initiative, which aims to mitigate climate-related challenges such as floods and droughts while improving irrigation services for 950,000 beneficiaries.
The SPIN project, according to Naija247news, will not only bolster agricultural productivity but also enhance dam safety and hydropower generation through public-private partnerships, supporting Nigeria’s energy needs and agricultural sustainability.
Naija247news gathered that addressing the pervasive insecurity in Nigeria’s northern region remains a priority for the World Bank, which has mandated the hiring of a security consultant to ensure the success of its projects in the country, including TRIMING. As the project’s closure date approaches, stakeholders are optimistic about the gains made but remain vigilant about the potential impact of security threats on future progress.
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Reporting by Agnes Ekebuike Editor, Naija247news in Lagos, Nigeria.
