The Government of Akwa Ibom State, in partnership with World Bank, has through the Community and Social Development Programme (AKSG-CSDP), completed the construction of 171 micro-projects in the state, with 56 others still on-going.
The projects worth N686, 903, 711, 31.00, include 13 health centres, 12 school blocks 30 (24-unit each) open market stalls, 39 motorised boreholes, 24 electricity extension, five culverts/drainages, several VIP toilets, town halls/civic centres, viewing centre, among others, spread across 89 rural communities in the state.
Ekong Sampson, the state Commissioner for Economic Development, Labour and Manpower Planning, made this known on Thursday while inspecting some completed projects in Eyulor Community in Urueofong-Oruko Local Government Area.
Sampson said Akwa Ibom State Government has used the CSDP micro projects scheme to give voice and dignity to the poor and vulnerable at the grassroots, as it had significantly reduced poverty, enhanced the standard of living of rural people, created employment through the various social infrastructures in the 89 benefitting communities.
He lauded Governor Udom Emmanuel’s value and commitment to serving his people, as demonstrated in his fulfillment of all conditions by the World Bank, including payment of counterpart funds, which enabled the state’s CSDP to come on board the scheme on time and to make great strides.
Sampson affirmed that the strides so far recorded in the AKSG-CSDP was indicative of efforts made by the Governor Emmanuel-led administration towards the actualisation of its five-point agenda of Wealth Creation, Job Creation, Political and Economic Inclusion, Poverty Alleviation and Infrastructure expansion and consolidation.
He maintained that measuring by significant increase of access of the poor and vulnerable to improved healthcare services, potable water, electricity, as well as reduction in pupils per class ratio and average distances to schools among many other Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) the Akwa Ibom State Government, through its collaboration with World Bank under the CSDP, has performed creditably well.
Ishmael Akpan, the General Manager of the AKSG-CSDP, in his remarks, applauded the state government for its promptness in taking advantage of the partnership in the interest of the rural dwellers in the state.
He said Akwa Ibom was one of the first states to come on board the programme in 2015 and as at October 2018, has recorded 171 completed projects, being the highest number on the scheme, while still having 56 projects at different stages of completion.
