TRIBUNAL JUDGMENT IS VICTORY FOR BENUE – ORTOM
<<< By Jimin Geoffrey >>>
Governor Samuel Ortom today presented cheques to eleven communities under the Community and Social Development Programme, CDSP for intervention in some community development projects.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi, Governor Ortom acknowledged the positive impact of community and social development programmes in the rural communities and promised its sustenance.
While pledging his administration’s commitment to pay N100 million as counterpart fund for 2017 and 2018 interventions, Governor Ortom said the eleven projects were approved for funding by the World Bank following the payment of N97.5 million counterpart fund and other conditions satisfied by the Benue state government.
He tasked board and staff of the Community and Social Development Agency to be prudent with resources entrusted under their care in order not to deprive rural communities the privilege of benefitting from the projects.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the office of the Coordinator, Federal Project Support Unit and Benue State House of Assembly for their technical and oversight support which has led to the success of the programme in the state.
Finance Commissioner, Dr. David Olofu in a remark said the programme is aimed at involving communities in the development of their domains.
In an address, General Manager, Benue State Community and Social Development Agency, Engineer James Aboho, said the development projects were awarded from the N125 million initial amount drawn from the International Development Association, IDA.
According to him, the state government had through the Commissioner of Finance had last year, signed a subsidiary loan agreement with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the World Bank in the sum of $4 million US Dollars, an equivalence of N1.2 billion under the CSDP Additional Financing (CSDP-AF).
In a remark, Chairman of the CSDA Board, Barrister Peter Ochijele said Benue communities would witness unprecedented infrastructural development through the agency, stressing that resources at their disposal would be used judiciously.
ALGON Chairman, Mr. Anthony Shawon and Pastor Andrew Ikwuje while responding on behalf of the benefitting local governments and communities respectively, expressed appreciation for the choice of selection and pledged unflinching support to the success of the projects.
The benefitting communities were drawn from the six pilot Local Government Areas of Apa, Gwer West, Guma, Ohimini, Ushongo and Vandeikya.
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