The Cross-State Government has approved and released the sum of Fourteen million naira for the immediate commencement of 6 micro-projects across two communities in Calabar South. The Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) has handed over the funds as approved by the Governor, Sen. (Prof.) Ben Ayade, to support the multi-sectoral micro-projects recently approved for the two communities to also aid the communities to fight the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking at the cash disbursement activity for projects, the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong, said the release of funds is a highpoint in the CSDP cycle after completing the rigorous process of appraisal and capacity building that qualifies every community to access funds.
The project is sequel to requests by the benefitting communities for support by the Government in areas of Electricity and Potable Water Supply to boost development. The projects include integrated LED street light system, concrete electricity pole erection and borehole with transformers to power the communities, she continued.
Whilst acknowledging the State Governor for paying the needed counterpart fund which is a requisite for World Bank’s support, she charged the beneficiary communities to ensure prompt implementation of these projects with an emphasis on global best practices, as she concluded.
The recently appointed Chairman of the CSDP Board, Mr Tony Ikpeme, encouraged the communities to continue to make wise use of disbursed funds as the Governor Ayade-led administration will not rest in its oars to bring development to the length and breadth of the State.
Mr Fidel Udie the Ag. General Manager of the State Community and Social Development Agency, appealed to the benefiting communities to carry out continuous supportive supervision of the project until it is completed, as this will attract more projects to the community and other communities. Some of the state top dignitaries present at the event were HRH Etubom Efio Ita Effiom and Etinyin Ewa for Eyo Ita/ Edibe-Edibe community, while Chief Eyo Effiom Henshaw, Chief Bassey Ekeng Maurice Effanga represented the Ansa-Ewa community.
