Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, has pledged the continuity of the World Bank assisted Community Social Development Project (CSDP) even at the expiration of the global apex bank intervention.

He also said that a law towards the actualisation of the continuity of the project has since been passed by the State House of Assembly.

Governor Sani-Bello spoke when he played host to the CSDP National Coordinator, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje in Government House, Minna, the state capital.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continuously support the World Bank-assisted project in the state in order to stimulate growth and reduce poverty in the state.

The Governor, who noted that the intervention of the donor agency has contributed immensely to the growth of the state, said the state government would continue to support its course in order to allow for project continuity, and development in the state.

“In order to sustain CSDP in the state, we have to provide funding for the continuation of the project. Which means, they will have to be under the Ministry of Planning so that it can take sponsorship position and allow the project to continue.

“We will work with the agency by contributing our quota to ensure that the projects are completed so we can make positive impacts in the lives of the people by meeting with their demands.”

He advised CSDP to increase its publicity in the state as most people have little or no knowledge of its activities in the state. He also called for proper documentation of the project in the state.

According to him, “There is already an established law by the Niger State House of Assembly to set up the CSDP which means, if the World Bank funding stops the project has to continue by increasing the budget.”

The Governor then assured the CSDP of the state government assistance in the areas of structures, funding and logistics in order to allow it carry out its activities in the growth and development of the state.

The CSDP National Coordinator, Dr. Abdulkarim Obaje, said that the visit was aimed at reviewing its performance in the last quarter and is implementing its additional finance in the tune of US $250 million which all the 30 participating states are going to benefit from

The National Coordinator who disclosed that agency’s priority is now to focus on the poorest local government areas in the state said that 6 local government areas in Niger State are to benefit from the intervention between now and the year 2020.

He further stated that the state agency has so far contributed about N775 million used to support 255 projects which cover roads, water and sanitation, provision of educational and healthcare facilities among others and has applauded the effort of the state government so far in its projects.

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