By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI—Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency, EB-CSDA, has approved N260.57 million for the execution of micro-projects in 26 communities in the state.

This came as an effective machinery was put in place by the agency to see to the monitoring and eventual completion of the projects at the specified period.

The state governor, Martin Elechi, congratulated the benefitting communities for their community development consciousness and urged the project implementation team and communities at large to be faithful, steadfast in adhering strictly to both the work plans and projects’ specifications.

Elechi, who was represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Augustine Nwankwegu, at the official launch and fund disbursement at Izzi Unuphu Community, Abakaliki LGA, to 17 more communities, observed that the expression of interest to participate in the scheme by as many as 109 communities was a clear testimony of how well the agency had managed the scheme.

He said:  “Let me emphasize that while the development needs of the various communities may differ, the agency has a duty to ensure that projects are spread to all parts of the state to give every geographical area a sense of belonging.

“Furthermore, I am encouraged by the declared determination of the agency to strictly monitor every stage of the projects’ implementation.”

“To my mind, this is critical not only to ensure that there is no miscarriage of the development aspiration of the projects, but also to guarantee according to specifications and that any deviations are detected and corrected on time.”

Earlier, Acting Chairman, Board of Directors, EB-CSDA, Mrs. Monika Ogadah, noted that nine of the 26 benefitting communities had at different times received the sum of N36.74 million from the agency, adding that a total of N175 million had been set aside for the 17 community development.

He said the communities’ 10% contribution amounted to N17.5 million, while the agency’s 90% commitment was N157.5 million.

Vanguard gathered that before the disbursement of cheques to the benefitting communities took off, each of them signed an agreement before the gathering, taking responsibility that they would do a good job.

The agreement signing exercise was supervised by the General Manager of the agency, Dr. Peter Mbam.