Enugu Approves N213m For MDGs Projects

The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the implementation
of the State’s 2011 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Conditional cash
transfer projects for 10 local government councils in the state.

The MDGs projects which would be executed in partnership
with the Federal Government would cost the state government over N213.I million

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for
Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke while briefing newsmen at the end of the
Executive Council  meeting at the
Government House, Enugu presided over by Governor Sullivan Chime.

Mr. Ugwoke explained that 100 communities in the affected
local government areas of Aninri, Oji-River, Udi Ezeagu, Igboetiti, Igboeze
South, Nsukka, Isi-Uzo, Nkanu East and Nkanu West would benefit from the
project.

The commissioner further stated that the council also approved the payment of outstanding state counter fund for the federal government’s FADAMA III agricultural programme community to the tune of   over N177 million

According to him,  the
sum  of N504 million outstanding counterpart fund is  for commercial agriculture development
project (CADP) for the 2009 – 2012 cropping years, adding that the council also
approved the award of contract for the procurement of agricultural machinery
and equipment for the state pineapple project at the cost of over 6 million
Dollars.

The State information boss noted that in keeping with the
state government’s resolve to ensure access to qualitative and affordable
health care to the citizenry, the council also approved more than N463m for the
renovation, upgrading and construction of 68 health centres in the state.

He explained that  the
MDGs conditional cash transfer is a grant provided for the extremely poor
households on the condition that children of primary and secondary school age
in the state can go to school and access to quality health care, adding that
the grant has four components of monthly sustenance allowance of N600,000
paid bi-monthly and business start up grant of  N120,000 payable
upon completion of training by applicants.

Approval was also given  for the engagement of a Consortium Company,
Google Upande (Kenya) and Benjamin Knight to provide training in Geographic
Information System (GIS) implementation and continuous support in the state.

This, when completed would help ensure greater satellite
imagery and satellite GPS navigation, transparent database management for
property in the state and change land information to become location based.

The job, he went on,  which would  be executed by
some selected companies in the implementation of the 2011 MDG conditional grant
scheme project for health will include renovation, upgrading and construction
of staff quarters in the affected health centres.