World Bank Disburses $140m to Boost Community Devt

The World Bank yesterday said it was ready to commence disbursement of an additional sum of $140 million (about N30 billion) to 26 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to boost community projects in Nigeria.

Already, the sum of $200 million had been disbursed in the first phase of the project.

The project had disbursed US$ 200 million from 2009 to 2014 in the first phase of the Bank's Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) between 2009 and 2014.

States benefiting the additional financing would need to focus on the most vulnerable households in poor communities in their region.

Other states including Anambra, Kaduna and Sokoto were said to have finalised their resolve to participate in the new financing.

World Bank acting Country Director, Indira Konjhodzic said in a statement: "The Bank is happy to approve additional funds for this project to scale up the impact on more communities in Nigeria and, particularly, the vulnerable in the society. It is also another step towards helping those affected by conflicts, especially in the North Eastern part of Nigeria."

The additional financing is expected to among other things fund micro-project facilities such as rehabilitation and construction of school class rooms, health centers and clinics, skills acquisition, rural electrification, rural transport, community water schemes, community housing schemes, and rural market infrastructure.

The vulnerable groups would also benefit from special grants in the projects. These include internally displaced poor persons,marginalised or chronically poor households, widows and the physically challenged.

The first phase of the funding of the CSDP which benefited over 5,600 communities and about 2 million people in 26 states of the federation was fully disbursed by December 2014.

World Bank Task Team Leader for the project, Mr. FolusoOkunmadewa said: "This project will not only help vulnerable people in the short term, including those in conflict-affected areas, but will also help build and rebuild long-lasting partnership between local governments and communities. In addition, it will help integrate communities as well as make smart investments in people for the future."