Fadama Disburses N367m

Delta State Fadama III Project Coordinator, Mr Anthony
Abanum,says the programme has disbursed about N367 million to 1,314 Fadama User
Groups (FUGs) in the  state as at May
this year.

Abanum said that the programme had also funded rural
infrastructure in 13 participating Local Government Areas with N37.5 million as
at the end of last month.

He made the disclosure while speaking on Sunday in Asaba on
the progress report of the programme.

He said that 110 Fadama Community Associations, made up of
1,314 FUGs in 20 participating LGAs benefited from the funds.

He, however, noted that the major setback of the programme
was the non-payment of counterpart funds by the participating LGAs, whose debt
obligations he put at N160.5 million.

The FADAMA coordinator said that available records showed
that Ika South and Oshimili South LGAS had not contributed anything to the
programme and consequently, had N20 million debt over-hang.

A total sum of N40.5 million was paid as counterpart fund by
18 LGAs while N160.5 million was the outstanding debt of the 20 participating
LGAs since the inception of the programme.

“Oshimili South and Ika South LGAs with 50 and 51 FUGs, have
not made any contributions but have received N1.7 million and N870, 000
respectively,’’ he said.

On the funded rural infrastructure, the coordinator said
that Fadama constructed 250 metre wooden bridge at Gana Oton in Sapele LGA at a
cost of N4.89 million.

He said that N1.56 million was utilised for the
rehabilitation of 20 units of market stalls with toilets and water supply at
Ovrode in Isoko North LGA.