C’River disburses #71M for 21 micro projects in 9 CSDP beneficiary communities

The Cross River state government through the state Community and Social Development Agency have commenced the release of funds to some beneficiary communities of the World Bank assisted Community and Social Development Project (CSDP).

The funds are meant for beneficiary communities to self-implement poverty focused micro projects in line with the specific needs of the communities were recently released during a round of project launch ceremonies that took place across the
state.

Speaking at the inauguration of the intervention at Atakpa community, one of the beneficiary communities in Calabar South LGA, the state Commissioner for International Development Corporation, Dr Inyang Asibong commended His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade for paying the needed counterpart fund as a requirement for World Bank support.

She also charged the beneficiary communities to ensure implementation of their micro projects with the speed of light and with due regards to standards and specification.

The occasion was graced by traditional rulers, leaders of thought, women, men and youths of the communities witnessed the presentation of first tranche cheque and the signing of financing agreement between the community and the Agency to successfully implement the projects within two months.

The micro projects comprises the renovation of a 4 classroom block, construction of motorize borehole and Ventilated Improved Toilet within the community andis in the total cost of N8.2million naira.

In Ashikpe community, Obudu LGA, funds were released for the construction of solar powered boreholes, culverts and extension of electricity to the community at the sum of N8.4million.

Similarly at Betukwel community also in Obudu on the order hand is being supported with N6.9 million to construct four classroom block and culvert while Bebuawhan community is benefiting the construction and equipping of health post and construction of solar powered borehole in the sum of N9.3million.

Furthermore, over N9.8million would be spent in Okweriseng community also in Obudu LGA for the construction of skill acquisition centre with equipping and the provision of 1.5KVA hybrid solar electricity and 10No panoramic solar street light.

In AyikangIye,another beneficiary community in Bekwarra LGA, the two micro projects
being funded include; the construction and equipping of health post and the construction of solar powered borehole both at the total cost of about N9.3million only.

At Ebuafen, also in Bekwarra LGA, the micro projects being supported are similar to that of AyikangIye with a total cost of N9.3 million.
The projects after intervention will increase access of the people to improved health care services as well as potable water.

The good people of AgbokimMgbabor of Etung LGA were not also left out as support is being provided to fund the construction of health post with equipping as well as culverts leading to their
farms in the total sum of N7.5million.Abijang community also in Etung will be having improved access to their farm lands as well as sustained accommodation for teachers after the construction of mini bridge and staff quarter respectively in the total sum of N9.8million.

The total cost of the 21 micro projects in this batch of beneficiaries is about N79 million. Out of this, Agency will be contributing N71million equivalent of 90% while the communities will contribute the remaining 10% in cash and kind inline with the project requirement and partnership agreement.

Oracle Today understands that more than 50% of Agency commitment have been released to the
communities who will make further request to access outstanding funds after reaching agreed benchmarks.

The impact of these interventions have far reaching effect on the state commitment to fight poverty and attain the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Making his remark during the project launch also at Atakpa community, the Ag. General
Manager of the Agency, Mr Fidel Udie, noted that the micro projects identified as felt needs by the communities for intervention are poverty focused and inline with the state and federal government efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He commended the beneficiary communities for passing through the rigorous process of appraisal of their development plans before they were approved. He also charged them to use the funds judiciously to achieve intended results.

The community people who were visibly happy with the support expressed their preparedness to see to the speedy completion of the projects such that intended benefits such as reduction in time and distance to fetch potable water as well as cost, increase in school enrolment and improved access to health care services and farm lands amongst others would be derived.

The water project would be a major boost in the ongoing handwashing campaign against COVID-19
pandemic in Nigerian and Cross River State in particular.