Ugwuanyi charges Enugu traditional rulers on World Bank projects

GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has charged traditional rulers as well as Community Leaders in the state to assist vulnerable people in the proper execution of the World Bank assisted infrastructural facilities in their domains, warning that his regime has zero tolerance to fraud and corruption.

Ugwuanyi who spoke through the General Manager of the State Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), Dr Maximus Asogwa, at the formal presentations of the first tranche of funds to five communities, urged the royal fathers and the leaders of the communities visited to be transparent in the use of funds allocated to them.

According to the governor, the projects which are being done by the World Bank in conjunction with the State Government are to alleviate the suffering of the rural dwellers especially the vulnerable group of persons which included the widows and people with disability.

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“The Enugu State Government is deeply interested in the development of rural communities and CSDP is an instrument used by the World Bank to alleviate the suffering of the rural dwellers. As you can see, at Ukete-Oduma and Owelli Court in Aninri and Awgu Local Government Areas,  respectively, the first tranche of 30% of N10m was presented for market stalls while primary school blocks construction with VIP toilets will commence soon the first project is completed”, he added.

Ugwuanyi who also spoke at Ugbelle-Ette, Umuogbo-Inyi and Umuodori-Igbele communities in Igboeze North Local Government Area of the state, explained that it was in realisation of the importance of the World Bank projects that informed the decision of his regime to key into the programme, pointing out that the state government had been paying its counter-parts funds to attract the projects to the communities.

While Ugbelle-Ette and Umuodori-Igbele Communities got 30% as the first tranche of the fund for bridge and water bore-hole respectively, Uumuogbo-Inyi received 20% as the first tranche for the building of market stalls.

In his speech, Dr Asogwa said that the five beneficiary communities should count themselves lucky, adding that 30 states are participating in the programme which is expected to go beyond 2020 due to its relevance to the people.

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“The bulk of the funding is from the credit obtained from the World Bank with other contributions from the Federal, State, Local Government Councils and the benefiting communities. For Micro projects, the World Bank contributes 90 per cent of the cost of a micro project while the community brings the balance of 10 per cent which is in kind or cash. At Ette community, a bridge is going to be built as the first tranche of the fund has been given to them. These projects which are a community-driven improve the standard of living of the common and vulnerable persons in our midst”, he further explained.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of Umuodori-Igbele autonomous Community, Igwe Clement Odugu and Honourable Fidelis Ojobo, an Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftain, in their separate speeches commended the state governor and the World Bank for bringing the projects to their community, adding that it would go a long way in enhancing development in the area.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Agbo of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Inyi had earlier in his remark said, “We are lucky that this project is coming in our time. There is no water, road and electricity. We have been praying for this day to come for the event. It will definitely turn the lives of our people around.

Tribune Online Correspondent who was an entourage of the CSDP officials during the tours observed that the beneficiary communities rolled out drums to welcome their visitors as they danced and sang praises of the authorities during the presentation of the cheques to them for the projects.