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By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
The Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas is seeking assistance from the World Bank to boost education at basic and secondary levels, agricultural production, women and youth empowerment, renewable energy, mining as well as environmental protection.
Governor Kefas sought the assistance while interacting with the Country Director of the World Bank in Nigeria, Mr. Shubhan Chaudhari in Abuja.
He described the World Bank as a critical partner in financing key projects in Taraba State.
He assured the Country Director of transparency and due process to make meaningful development at the grassroots. The Governor said his administration recently rolled out comprehensive palliative packages for the people to cushion the hardship occasioned by the removal of oil subsidy by the Federal Government.
He appealed to Mr. Chaudhari to help expedite the process of securing loan from the World Bank to avert the looming crisis in the state and invited the Country Director to visit the state.
Responding, Mr. Chaudhari appreciated the vision of the Governor particularly in seeking assistance and expertise of the Bank which is not a donor Agency but a development institution whose loans are paid back at a very concessional terms with a grace period of eight to ten years. He said the Bank has been a source of funds for state governments in Nigeria in the implementation of their policies and programmes with a strings attached for the fund to be utilized judiciously and transparently.
The Country Director said Nigeria is the largest beneficiary of the funding by the World Bank in Africa with seventy percent of the funds going to states because they play greater role in job creation, poverty reduction while funds are disbursed based on the priority of each state.
Similarly, in an effort to secure funds for the numerous policies and programe of his administration, Dr. Kefas continued to engage with more bilateral and multilateral Development partners within and outside Nigeria.
To this end, the Governor met with officials of CUTEC E & E LTD Germany in Abuja comprising Ms Anne Dirkling, the Country Manager, Professor Onyeche Theodore, Director International operations, representatives of the German Government and the European Commission on Environment where environmental issues relating to Climate Change, waste management and treatment, environmental laws and accessibility to carbon credit Scheme from the German Government and the European Union were discussed.
The Governor further engaged the Czech Republic Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Zdenek KREJCI and Zenith Bank officials to put finishing touches on the importation of tractors, equipments and other implements to boost agriculture and productivity in the state.
