In its avowed commitment towards even infrastructural development of the state, Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has assured that counterpart funding for World Bank facilitated projects will soon be released.
He gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop for Local Government Review Committee (LGRC) members and Desk Officers from line ministries, on Wednesday.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Abdulazeez Tayo Oyelowo, he stressed that the focus of his administration is rural development, adding that the Kwara State Community and Social Development Agency (KWCSDA) is the vehicle to achieve the objective.
Governor Abdulrazaq stated that the release of the counter funding is expedient in order for communities that are yet to benefit to enjoy infrastructural development through the World Bank micro projects.
He said that his administration has been making converted efforts at attracting funds from foreign and international bodies towards development of the state.
Earlier in her speech, the General Manager, KWCSDA, Engr. (Mrs.) Amamat Oluwatoyin Haruna, explained that the workshop is meant to build capacity of LGRC members and desk officers of relevant ministries.
“In order to meet project development objective, there is need to train and sensitise LGRCs and DOs of relevant line ministries on their roles and responsibilities.”
She further explained that the agency is designed to sustainably increase access to the poor to basic social infrastructure with the aim of complementing state government effort at reducing poverty levels in the rural areas in the state.
The general manager disclosed that the state government through KWCSDA has so far drawn down a total sum of N1.3billion with over N752m disbursed to communities since 2016 till date, adding that 243 micro-projects have so far been completed while 45 are ongoing.
“I am pleased to disclose that the agency is already supporting approved Community Development Plans (CDPs) of 149 communities across the 16 Local Government Areas of the state,” she added.
