No fewer than 10,000 farmers in Kogi State would benefit from the $200m grant of the World Bank assisted Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project.
Besides, the World Bank Group on Thursday pledged more support towards development and poverty eradication in the state.
The state and the global bank have also agreed to work together in some development areas that would have a direct positive impact on the people at the grassroots level.
The country director of World Bank, Rachid Benmessaoud, said this during a meeting between the officials of the bank and the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.
Speaking with newsmen at the end of the meeting the director-general of media and publicity to the governor, Kingsley Fanwo, said both parties had “fruitful and useful deliberations on issues of development and poverty alleviation in the State”.
He said the bank had expressed its readiness to partner the state to bring development to the doorsteps of the people of the state.
He added that the grant to the farmer would further improve their productivity and enhance food production in the state.
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According to him, the bank was impressed with the performance of the state in the partnership they had had over projects in the past, saying such had positively affected the living standard of the people of the state.
Fanwo said, “The Governor Of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello led the State Government delegation while that of the World Bank Group was led by the Country Director, Rachid Benmessaoud.
“There were useful conversations on how to improve education, agriculture and healthcare as well as interventions on a more habitable environment for the people of Kogi State.
“The Governor thanked the World Bank for all its programs and projects in Kogi State, expressing his determination to continue to partner with the bank for the development of the state and her people.
“A review of the partnership performance of the State was quite encouraging as various Project Leaders spoke glowingly about the excellent commitment of the Government of Kogi State.
“The good news for the people of the state is that both parties have agreed to work together in specific development areas that will impact the people of the state positively”.
The State delegation which was led by the Governor also includes the Commissioners of Finance, Education, Agriculture and Rural Development; among others.
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