The World Bank has commended the federal and state governments for showing renewed interest in social investment with the increased commitment to the bank’s assisted projects, Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) and Youth Employment and Social Support Operations (YESSO).
World Bank Task Team Leader for Social Protection, Prof Foluso Okunmadewa, who gave the commendation at the joint management meeting of the two projects in Abuja, said it is interesting and an encouraging development that the federal and State Government have been redeeming their commitment to pay the mandatory counterpart contribution and are now more willing to tap into the opportunity of providing social and natural resources infrastructure at the community levels and also provide employment for unemployed youth through the two projects. He noted that this have started having huge impact on the society.
“The renewed government commitment is an opportunity that comes with added responsibility. The CSDP and YESSO must take this responsibility more seriously so that the country, particularly the poor communities and unemployed youths can benefit” Okunmadewa said.
Corroborating the World Bank’s position, National Coordinator of CSDP, Dr. Abdulakarim Obaje said the Muhammamdu Buhari administration has approved the payment of the backlog of counterpart funds for the CSDP.
He also commended the Federal government for showing leadership in social investment in the country, assuring that the impact of the CSDP and YESSO with Federal Government’s interest would be well felt across the country in due course.
According to him, Anambra state just joined the CSDP while Kaduna, Sokoto and Ogun states are on the verge of joining. He described this development as good news for the rural communities across the country.
Earlier, National Coordinator of YESSO, represented by Mrs. Olaomi Silvia said YESSO will address the main concern of youths which is employment. She also said the counterpart funding from the federal government will assist the project achieve its goals.
The CSDP, a World Bank assisted project, is into micro projects that cut across eight sectors of the social service: education, water, health, rural transportation, rural electrification, natural resources conservation, gender and vulnerable support and socio economic such as construction of market stalls, etc. While YESSO focuses on youths’ employment.