A high-powered delegation from the World Bank, led by Dr. Ndiame Diop, Country Director for Nigeria, has been received by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barrister Caleb Mutfwang on Wednesday 15th January 2025, as part of an official visit to assess the implementation of World Bank-supported projects in the State.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, while welcoming the World Bank Team, reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to fostering strategic partnerships that drive sustainable development within the State. Governor Mutfwang commended the World Bank’s Country Director, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, for his unwavering commitment to Africa’s development since assuming office. He assured the World Bank Team of his administration’s readiness to collaborate with institutions that add value to the State and its citizens. Governor Mutfwang noted that “the kind of understanding, collaboration and synergy we are developing I can see it moving us to the right direction where we can be able to achieve the development objectives as set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Charter so that we can be able to maximize the opportunities that are at our disposal”
He expressed disappointment over the World Bank’s insufficient participation in the State’s affairs in the past, attributing this to the State’s inability to provide effective leadership that could deliver targeted results, and pledged to rectify this situation. He stated that the present Administration is committed to ensuring that all projects executed in the State offer value for money.
“What I can tell you is that we have been able to re-energize our focus in terms of delivery for every project we are involved in”
He said his focus is to lift the People of the State out of poverty and make them prosperous.
The Governor undertook to execute projects that would yield enduring benefits for the State and its Citizens.
In his initial remarks, World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Dr. Ndiamé Diop, acknowledged Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s partnership, ensuring the World Bank’s sustained support for projects in the State. He applauded the Governor’s outstanding leadership. Dr. Diop noted that the State provides the World Bank with opportunities to enhance its project portfolio and develop more effective support strategies.
The World Bank Team applauded the Governor for bringing together a skilled team to administer all World Bank-supported projects in the State.
“From the interaction we have had so far, you are always proactive and candid in sharing your feedbacks with us. So we are here to interact on the portfolios of ongoing projects and see how better we can come up with impactful interventions to the State”
The World Bank Team also underscored the necessity for the State to uphold global standards in project execution and committed to providing further interventions for increased impact.
The event also featured projects’ review presentations from the World Bank-supported projects in Plateau State such as the Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Acceleration Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT), Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (SURWASH) Program Plateau State, The Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment, (AGILE) Project, Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme, Rural Access & Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Social Engagement for Budgetary Accountability (SEBA) and Agro-Climatic Resilience Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL).
The Project Managers acknowledged that the successes achieved thus far in the projects were due to the steadfast commitment and support provided to the respective Projects by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. They praised the Governor for prioritizing the beneficial projects and for making available counterpart funding.
The visit’s prominent features included the presentation of cheques to contractors for renovating and revitalizing 82 Primary Health Centres statewide, launching tractors to boost food production and food security, and disbursing $250,000 to ten communities in partnership with the global apex bank to combat poverty and drive economic empowerment towards achieving financial stability and prosperity for citizens.
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