The Kogi State government has approved N400 million to fund micro-projects by its Community and Social Development Agency.
Governor Idris Wada announced the approval at the inauguration of two blocks of classrooms and a motorised solar-powered borehole in Ichala-Ajode village in Ibaji Local Government Area Saturday.
The governor said the state government approved the money because the International Development Association (IDA) had stopped providing funds for the agency in 2014.
“We have retained the status and structure of the agency for 2014. We have been informed that there will be little or no IDA funding to such agencies in all the states of the federation. We are therefore harnessing resources so that we commit at least N400 million to fund community projects,” he said.
Wada commended the agency’s community development approach, saying it is a reliable instrument for the development of the rural areas where about 70 per cent per cent of the people lived.
The governor reiterated that the agency was vital to the state because rural dwellers had access to less than 20 per cent of the state resources.
“This government strongly believes in the restoration of the dignity of man, which can only be achieved by stamping out the causes of poverty, disease and ignorance,” he said.
Wada also promised to construct a road linking Ichala-Ajode with Echabi Junction from Idah-Onyedega road to ease the transportation challenges facing the community.
Earlier, Mr. James Odibla, the agency’s General Manager, said the World Bank had so far given it N1.2 billion to execute community development projects in the state.
Odibla said the state government had paid N421.5 million as its counterpart funding and recently directed the payment of N1 million as the state’s contribution to the agency.
He said the state government had also awarded a contract of N47.5 million for the construction of the agency’s secretariat.
Odiba said that 260 micro-projects had been approved and N751 million disbursed directly to the communities as of March.
He added that 226 out of the 260 micro projects had been completed.
