FG Appraises W/Bank Projects In Imo

The Federal Support Unit of the Word Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) has appraised micro-projects in some communities in Imo State.
The team, led by the National Coordinator, Mr Chukwudi Onuoha, visited projects executed by communities through the $200 million World Bank credit, obtained by the Federal Government for community enhancement.
In separate interviews, the team members commended some of the outstanding projects and also pointed out grey areas for more intervention.
In Ihitte/Uboma local government area, the team inspected water projects, rural electricity projects, market stalls, renovation of classroom blocks and health centres in Umunumo and Umuawuchi communities.
Similarly, rehabilitation of boreholes and water projects, construction of culverts and skills acquisition centres were also inspected in Mbeke, Umunkwo and Ibeme Amaise communities in Isiala Mbano local government area.
The coordinator said he was impressed with the communities’ zeal and standard of the projects. Onuoha commended the Imo State Agency for Community and Social Development project for its supervisory role in the communities.
A team member and Director, Policy Planning, Management and Research Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Okezie Amalaha, noted that increased funding from the state government could expand the project.
While inspecting projects at Umuna and Umuzike communities in Orlu local government area, Mr Cornelius Ukwoka, a Programme Officer with NAPEP, said the CSDP was a success in the state.
“Generally, from what we have seen from our field visits, I can see that CSDP in Imo State is very successful, despite the inability of the government to pay up their counterpart funding. “I give the state a pass mark so far; I know if they had given them money they would have done far better than what they have done,” he said.
The team, however, urged the communities to cultivate good maintenance culture for the projects and to undertake safe disposal of waste, especially clinical waste through functional incinerators.
Other recommendations were the inclusion of gender and vulnerable groups as well as the provision of aids and conducive environment for people living with disabilities in public places.
It further reiterated the need for the State government to pay up its backlog of counterpart funds, amounting to N400 million from 2010-2013 to ensure smooth implementation of the projects.
The federal programme support unit is made up of officials from different federal ministries and parastatal agencies. They include the Federal Ministries of Finance, Environment, Water Resources, Agriculture, NAPEP, Budget Office, National Planning Commission and NGOs, among others.