World Bank boosts water supply, others in Imo

DISSATISFIED with the dilapidation of social services in the 27 local councils in Imo State, the World Bank has intervened in 40 communities in the state.General Manager of the scheme, Mr. Augustine Amah, disclosed that the projects included water, electricity and hall centres.Speaking during the mid-term review workshop organised by the scheme in Owerri, Imo State capital, Amah stated that the project, which would run for five years, began since 2009.He added that the benefiting communities in the state were given N10 million each while each of them provided N1 million as counterpart contribution. The state government, which signed the agreement to provide a total of N500 million for the duration of five years, has provided N100 million.He said: 'World Bank has provided by the last count up to $5 million. We have pushed something like N400 million to the communities within two-and-a-half years. We have 40 communities, each community is entitled to N10 million for two-and-a-half years so far. The money will go round ... We are expecting the sum of N500 million from the state government. They paid the initial N100 million. The state, by the initial agreement, is owing the project N400 million, if they must pay within the five years of the programme'.He disclosed that the funds were domiciled with the Federal Government's Support Unit, adding that each community, which fulfilled the obligation, was entitled to three micro-projects while anyone that defaulted would be surcharged.'World Bank is interested in the communities that have expressed interest and not in the docile communities that have not expressed interest. Over 400 communities have applied', he said.At the event, which had in attendance members of the Local Government Review Committee (LGRC), Community Management Project Committee, among others, he regretted that the local council officials had allegedly shied away from providing their own part of the funds for the projects to move on in their areas.In his contribution, the Head of Service, Evans Uzokwe and another official, noted that the review session was necessary for the project to note its achievements and areas to improve on.The occasion featured questions and contributions from the participants on the way forward.
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