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ADB, Ekiti To Partner On Infrastructure Dev
The African Development Bank (ADB) plans to partner with the Ekiti State Government in the provision of infrastructure.
The ADB’s Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Ousmane Dore, made the announcement at the weekend in Lagos at a meeting between Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and officials of the bank.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti quoted Dore as saying that ADB would assist the state government in the development of rural roads with a view to boosting agriculture in the state.
It said the meeting highlighted key potential areas for foreign investments and technical support for the state.
Dore noted that two of ADB’s 29 projects in Nigeria were already sited in Ekiti State, and promised that it would also be among the eight states that would benefit from the Capacity Building Fund being proposed by the bank.
Fayemi had earlier urged the ADB to strive to surpass the World Bank in its development programmes in the state.
In a related development, the Swedish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Per Lindgarde, also said at a meeting with Fayemi in Abuja that some Swedish companies were seeking collaboration with the state government in the areas of agriculture and environmental sustainability.
Fayemi had emphasised the state government’s preference for collaboration with big players in the area trade as opposed to aid.
He explained that investments in agriculture and tourism in the state would help to revive the peoples’ agrarian life style, boost the economy and create employment opportunities.
Fayemi assured the envoy of the safety of foreign investment in the state, stressing that the state was noted for its peaceful and secure environment.
The Senator representing Ekiti Central, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on MDGs, Mrs. Bunmi Dipo-Salami, were on the governor’s team.