Enugu Spends N2.5bn On MDGs Projects

The Enugu State Govemment, has in the last two years, spent about N2.5 billion on the execution of some Millennium Development Projects (MDGs) in the state.

The Enugu State Focal Person on MDGs, Mr Joseph Ajadike, told newsmen in Enugu that the projects were executed under the Conditional Grant Scheme (CGS) funds.

Ajadike said that in 2008, the state received N762.8 million for MDGs and that in 2009 it received N1.73 billion, adding that the state govemment also paid its 50 per cent counterpart funding.

“In the 2011 budget estimates, the state govemment has provided about Nl billion for the CGS activities of the MDG’s,” he said.

According to him, in 2008, the project renovated 24 primary health centres and purchased eights ambulances.

It also constructed four Solar Powered Boreholes, rehabilitated 21 deep wells, developed two streams and rehabilitated 17 shallow wells.

He said that in 2009, they also constructed 23 deep motorised boreholes, rehabilitated 18 motorised boreholes, and constructed 19 solar-powered shallow wells.

Ajadike said that it “impounded a stream” from where it reticulated water to benefiting communities.

The focal person further said, “The project also procured equipment for 65 primary healthcare centres.”

He said that drugs and other medical sundries were purchased for the 65 health facilities, adding that 60,000 long lasting insecticide treated nets were distributed in the 17 local government areas in 2009.

Ajadike said the state government did not apply for the CGS in 2010, stressing that there were many initiatives, aimed at achieving MDGs in the state.

He identified environmental challenges, corruption, poor funding, political interference, poor maintenance and sustainability as some of the problems that might stall achievement of MDGs by 2015.