By Uchenna Ugwu
No fewer than 87 communities in Ebonyi have benefited from 181 micro-projects valued at N865 million under the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP).
The figure was collated from a summary report on EB-CSDP made avaliable on Friday during the commissioning of completed micro-projects at Ohaozara and Ikwo council areas.
According to the report, signed by the General Manager of the State’s CSDP, Dr Peter Mbam, the benefiting communities cut across the 13 council areas of the state.
Also 55 of the projects have been completed, 60 ongoing while 66 are yet to start.
Mbam said the projects covered education, health, water, transport, rural electrification, environment among others implemented to reduce poverty, stimulate growth and bring empowerment to the rural dwellers.
“CSDP, being a community-driven project, is also an instrument which the government is using to reduce poverty in communities and the participating communities normally access fund, complete the projects themselves while we give advice and monitor the projects.
“Each community is allowed to access the sum of N10 million for macro project. The establishment has operated in the state from 2009-2014 for CSDP main financing and 2016 till date for CSDP Additional financing,” Mbam said.
Meanwhile, Wife of the state Governor, Mrs Rachael Umahi, enjoined the people of the areas to ensure proper use of the projects and urged beneficiaries to keep supporting the current administration.
“These projects will go a long way in developing the areas and also impact positively on the lives of the people, ” Umahi said.
The state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and also Chairman of CSDP Board, Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, commended the administration for providing enabling platform for the project to strive.
Nwebonyi said that vandalism of the projects would not be condoned and advised people to protect, maintain and continue to support the government for the sustenance of the projects.
“I appreciate efforts of the governor and the agency over the projects and encourage the youth to protect it,” Nwebonyi said.
Mr Onyibe Chukwu, a traditional ruler in one of the benefiting communities, hailed the agency and the World Bank for the projects and promised to support the government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mrs Umahi commissioned completed blocks of units, market stalls and rural electrification at Ohaozara and Ikwo local government areas.
