Buni seeks partnership with the World Bank on irrigation in Yobe

Buni seeks partnership with the World Bank on irrigation in Yobe

By: Yahaya Wakili

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has called on the World Bank for a partnership on irrigation under the Multi-Sectoral Crisis Response Programme.

He also urged the World Bank to minimize administrative bottlenecks in its support of the recovery programs of the state in resettling communities devastated by the insurgency.

Governor Buni disclosed this in a statement signed by the Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, when he received the World Bank delegation, which paid him a working visit.

He revealed that the administrative bottlenecks had slowed down some projects and programs.

According to Buni, “Agriculture remains the ministry of our people, and it provides them with sustainable means of livelihood, food supply, and security.

“The longer it takes to channel the support, the more it is badly affected by inflation because, if you plan to execute a particular project or program and you cost it at an existing rate, if it is not done in time, it will certainly be affected by inflation on the prices of raw materials for the project.” He added.

He maintained that “we are encouraging irrigation agriculture because of the unpredictable nature of rain-fed agriculture owing to climate change. We always have flooding, drought, or desert encroachment, hence the need to encourage irrigation.

“We shall appreciate a great deal of partnership with you to boost irrigation farming, taking advantage of our land bank and improved security, where our people now have access to their farms unhindered. The government is committed to making irrigation farming attractive and profitable in Yobe  State. Buni said.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mrs. Madhu Raghunath, commanded Governor Mai Mala Buni to provide the required leadership in making the recovery process very efficient and effective.

She said, “We would like to share the Yobe state experience with some states to hasten the resettlement of their displaced communities.

Mrs. Raghunath said the World Bank was focusing on a world free of poverty on a liveable planet.

“We have always enjoyed working with you and will continue to partner with you to effectively improve the resettlement of the displaced communities.

Buni seeks partnership with the World Bank on irrigation in Yobe.