Fadama III: World Bank Disburses N1.5bn To States

In its continued effort to empower rural communities and to sustainably reduce poverty, the World Bank, through the Third National Fadama Development Project has disbursed the sum of N1.5 billion to beneficiaries in the south west zone of the country.

In a statement, the bank said the zone was allocated $36 million out of which the sum of $19 million was disbursed, remaining a balance of $17 million. So far, Fadama community associations and 7,542 user groups, the statement said have been supported in the zone through the execution of over 4,135 development sub-projects some of which include palm and garri processing equipment, road construction and rehabilitation, market construction and other income generating assets such as pepper grinding machines, knapsack sprayers and poultry equipment to boost the enterprises of the rural communities.

The mission team leader, Mr Obadiah Tohomdet who is also a senior communication specialist of the World Bank, told beneficiaries and other stakeholders of the project during the 6th Joint World Bank and Federal Government Supervision Mission in the zone, hosted by Ekiti State government that the Fadama III project which is being implemented in 658 local government areas of the country has positively impacted on the lives of over 649,367 households.

Tohomdet added that the entire project cost stood at $450 million out of which over 150 million dollars were disbursed.

He commended the stakeholders of the project in the zone and appealed to the respective state governments to ensure prompt payment of their counterpart funds for speedy implementation in order that their communities may enjoy the project support.

The National Project, Co-ordinator of Fadama III, Tayo Adewumi in his remark who was represented by Senior Community Development Specialist, Dr Victoria Agu, said the aim of the mission was to evaluate implementation status, identify weaknesses and also to consolidate performance to achieve greater success.

He further explained that the project was now focusing on the federation of all Fadama community associations to improve and add value to their products in the areas of processing, storage, branding and marketing in line with the federal government agricultural transformation agenda.