Fadama III: World Bank earmarks $50m in North-East

The World Bank says it has earmarked 50 million dollars to fast track the implementation of Fadama III, Lead Economist Tunji Oredipe has disclosed.

Oredipe made this known during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the bank, Fadama III and Borno Government on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Oredipe said that the funds were provided to support Fadama programmes, enhance food assistance, provide livelihoods and facilitate the rehabilitation of infrastructure in communities ravaged by the insurgents.

He said that 27 local government areas selected from Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe were expected to participate in the programme.

Oredipe added that Maiduguri and Jere Local Government areas were selected as pilot areas of the projects in Borno.

He explained that about 192,000 people were expected to benefit from the programme in the participating states.

“The aim is to increase crop production, provide skills training, income generating activities and build resilience.

“The programme will also provide cash support to encourage food security and nutrition.”

According to him, the bank is working in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) and International Community of Red Crescent to address food and humanitarian crisis in the region.

Gov. Kashim Shettima commended the gesture, noting that it would go a long way to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Shettima said that about 7,500 households would participate in the pilot project in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government areas.

The governor, who noted that the programme would assist in reducing poverty, hunger and diseases, also commended the WFP, World Bank and other organisations for their humanitarian interventions in the state.