Northeast Governors urges W’Bank to complete MCRP
By Tada JUTHA, Maiduguri
Governors Babagana Zulum, Ahmadu Fintiri and Mai Mala Buni of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states (BAY) have begged the World Bank to speed up complete the Multi Sectorial Crises Recovery Projects (MCRP).
The projects sited in the Northeast, was affected by 12-year insurgency; killing over 40, 000 people with destruction of property worth $9.2 billion (N3.42 trillion) in the BAY states.
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According to the three Governors, the completion of MCRP, will support the insurgency affected State Governments rehabilitate and improve critical services delivery to the people.
Fintiri was represented by his deputy, Seth Crowther at the Abuja meeting with the World Bank in Abuja
Besides, Governor Zulum Monday in Abuja at a meeting with the W’Bank Country Director, Shubham Chaudri; said that the completion of projects will restore destroyed infrastructures and means of livelihoods to strengthen social cohesion and resilience.
“To meet the terms of reference of the World Bank plan of action and recover from the 15 months lost implementation process, should be hastened up to complete the projects,” he declared.
Continuing, he noted that the Governors appreciated the good works the World Bank for the MCRP during the post-insurgency period.
He explained that the displaced persons have been relocated and resettled into their respective liberated communities in BAY states.
According to him, there are more areas that require collective interventions to restore IDP returnees’ hope and their means of livelihoods.
Zulum said that the only way to do that was to speed up the MCRP implementation process.
The Governor warned that delay in releasing funds for the projects will trigger inflation due to recent increase in the foreign exchange rates.
While responding to the completion of projects, Chaudri, assured the Governors that the bank will overcome the ‘worries and concerns’ of the MCRP implementing states.
“We’ll ensure the speedy implementation of projects by overcoming the bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder the completion and running of various projects in the region,” he said.
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The Borno and Yobe States Commissioners of Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties and Finance and Economic Planning, Mohammed Wanori and Musa Mustapha attended the two-hour W’Bank meeting.
Others in attendance include; the Special Adviser to the Borno State Governor and Coordinator of Sustainable Development Partnership and Humanitarian Support, Dr. Mairo Mandara and the Chief of Staff to the Yobe State Governor, Abdullahi Yusuf Gashua.
