Jimoh BABATUNDE
The World Bank has   approved $4.6 million(about N690 million) for the     implementation of the Fadama III project in Bauchi State.

The Project’s Communication Officer, Malam Muhammad Danladi, said this in an interview with journalists in Bauchi.
Danladi said the sum was provided under the International Development Agency (IDA) as part of the bank’s contributions to the project.

He said Bauchi State Government and the 20 local government areas had also contributed N76 million to the project
He added that arrangements had been completed to commence the disbursement of funds to the participating communities.

“The Fadama III programme is to be run in all the 20 local government areas of the state.
“About 908 Fadama User Groups (FUGs) with estimated population of 1.8 million households are to benefit from project.

“The project is designed  to empower peasant farmers, reduce poverty, enhance wealth creation and infrastructural development of farming communities,” Danladi said.

He said the state project office had mobilised communities to pay their contributions to enable them participate in the programme.

Danladi said the communities were expected to make 30 per cent contribution for assets procurement, 10 per cent for the community infrastructure and 15 per cent contribution for vulnerable groups.

He said that the project would provide 70 per cent, 90 per cent and 85 per cent contributions, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Fadama Project Office has commenced a two-day training workshop for its staff on monitoring and evaluation techniques.