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Enugu moves to access World Bank’s N1b development fund

By Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Anietie Akpan (Calabar)
15 September 2016   |   2:15 am
Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved the payment of N50 million counterpart fund for the World Bank’s additional financing for rural development projects in the state under the state ...
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

C’River begins N7.5b schools infrastructure upgrade

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has approved the payment of N50 million counterpart fund for the World Bank’s additional financing for rural development projects in the state under the state agency for Community and Social Development Project (CSDP).

With this development, the state would now access over N1 billion from the World Bank under its joint venture business operated by the CSDP.

The sum when accessed would enable the state to complete 49 on-going projects in approved communities and fund new projects in about 100 communities within the next two years.

The governor’s approval for the payment of the sum followed a request by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Ozo Gab Onuzulike, after the state executive council last May confirmed the state’s readiness to get the World Bank’s assistance for financing projects under the CSDP.

The General Manager of the CSDP, Dr. Maximus Asogwa said yesterday that the governor’s approval for the release of the counterpart fund would encourage his agency to execute projects under the joint venture with the global body.

The Community and Social Development Project in the past five years had completed over 200 projects in about 120 communities across the state.

Meanwhile, the Cross River State government is to spend N7.5 billion on school projects in over 200 primary schools in the state.

The projects would be financed by the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and counterpart funding provided by the state government.

A statement by the state government said: “Governor Ben Ayade approved N3.8 billion to enable us to access the matching grant, which was lying unused with the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).”

The state is expected to spend the N7.5 billion for projects under the 2012-2015 UBEC matching grant and has invited experienced contractors to bid for the jobs.

Executive Chairman of the board, Dr. Steve Odey, who briefed journalists yesterday in Calabar on the activities of SUBEB said more than 200 projects, ranging from construction of new school blocks to rehabilitation of existing ones would begin soon.

He said: “The Special Education fund from 2013 to 2015 has been accessed with infrastructure being put in place in our special education centres across the state.”

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