World Bank offers 182 billion FCFA to revive dev’t in crises-hit regions.

This was during the first session of the PROLOG project Steering Committee.

Speaking during the Steering Committee meeting which he chaired, Minister Elanga Obam said with the money available, actors will move to start effectively implementing the project.

 The minister said yesterday’s meeting looked at how communities in the identified regions viz; North West, South West, East, Adamawa, North and Far North, will use the resources to boost the wellbeing of the people.

Elanga Obam said during the meeting, they brainstormed “on the challenges ahead, taking into consideration” the specificities of communities.

He added that the funds received will be used for development projects that the communities will decide on. This, he said, will be done taking into consideration climate change and its implications. 

“Climate change and its consequences have recently become severe so part of this money will be used by communities to mitigate and adapt to these changes,” Elanga Obam underscored, adding that: “The idea to bring on local communities is because when the project comes to an end” they will do an evaluation.

The evaluation, he also said, will be to ensure “that the communities have improved and the projects that were selected and implemented were carried out with their full participation”.

Choice of six regions

According to Elanga Obam, the choice of the six regions for the pilot phase is due to the fact that they are facing crises.  

“Our role is to assist the communities notably the local authorities so they make good use of the money by implementing projects that will change livelihoods,” he said. 

Women & children priority 

The decentralisation minister said: “We will pay special attention to women and children who often suffer most when there is conflict”.

The minister concluded by stating that actions to be executed are known. He added that what is also needed is for the concerned parties to properly execute the project for the benefit of all, and contribute to the development of the country through communities. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3141 of Friday June 14, 2024