World Bank commits N33.6b to Fadama III in Nigeria

THE World Bank said on Tuesday that it had earmarked $200 million or N33.6 billion for the implementation of FADAMA 111 projects in six states of the country.

 The bank’s Task Leader on 2nd Joint World Bank/FGN Supervision Mission on the Implementation of FADAMA III Additional Financing Project to Kogi, Dr Abimbola Adubi, disclosed this during a visit to Gov. Idris Wada in Lokoja.

   Adubi said the bank had created six zones comprising Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Enugu, Anambra and Kano states for the implementation of the FADAMA III projects.

   He said the states would be supported with $200 million or N33.6 billion.

   Adubi said the bank was of the belief that development could be achieved through agriculture and was therefore committed to critical monitoring and evaluation of the success of the projects in the country.

   The Team Leader commended Kogi Government and farmers in the state for their commitment to the project.

   He said that the visit to the state was aimed at monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the implementation processes as well as identifies progress made so far and the challenges.

   He said the bank want to make agriculture a business, adding that the key areas of production of the FADAMA III included cassava, rice, sorghum tomatoes and horticulture.

   Adubi explained that for effective disbursement of the fund, the benefiting states must sign and return the financing agreement form through the Federal Government for onward submission to the bank.

   Responding, Gov. Idris Wada assured the World Bank team that the state would continue to create the enabling environment for easy access to essential farm inputs and equipment such as fertilisers, agro-chemical and tractor services.

   Wada, who was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, said the state had cumulatively paid N160 million as counterpart contribution for implementation of the FADAMA III project.

   He said the state also released N56.35 million as 2014 counterpart fund for effective take-off of Additional Financing.

   He appealed to the World Bank and other donor agencies to partner the state in its Youth Empowerment Programme, known as’’ YAD4Kogi,’’