Fides Media Living the Faith
By Chioma Ndife
The Anambra State Community and Social Development Agency, ANCSDA, has disbursed over twenty-five million Naira to five communities for a project launch under Basic Service Delivery (DLI14) of Anambra COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus Programme to cushion the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on poor and vulnerable in the communities.
The disbursement which took place at IDK Centre in Awka, saw five communities of Oroma-Etiti in Anambra West; Urum in Awka North; Ifite-Ogwari in Ayamelum; Ndiokolo in Orumba North and Ezira in Orumba South, receive cheques for the immediate commencement of their projects.
The disbursement of the twenty five million Naira was the first tranche of the projects geared towards cushioning the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the poor and vulnerable in the communities.
Presenting the cheques to the five communities, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, pointed out that such was evidence of Soludo’s manifesto for a greater Anambra which, she noted, revolved around a livable and prosperous homeland and underscored the importance of rural development and welfare of the poor and vulnerable.
She congratulated the benefitting communities and enjoined them to hit the ground running in order to be able to access the second tranche of the money for fast completion of the projects in the coming months.
Speaking, the General Manager, ANCSDA, Mr Chudi Mojekwu, in his address of welcome, asked communities to keep to the design approved by the agency or make necessary consultations before any amendment, reminding them that the project was demand driven and as such, must reflect community participation to ensure the actualization of the goals of the agency.
According to him, the AN-CARES Programme Project Development’s objectives were to expand the living standards of the people and ensure that food security fitted the vision of Professor Chukwuma Soludo- led Administration.
In a vote of thanks, the CPMC chairman for Ifite-Ogwari Community, Chief Ben-Chuks Onuekwe, appreciated both the federal and state governments, as well as the World Bank, for the funds, assuring judicious use of the money for the actualization of the intended purpose.
Oroma-Etiti Community received the first tranche of four million, three hundred and seventy-two thousand, seven hundred and forty-three Naira; Ndiokolo also received four million, nine hundred and ninety thousand, eight hundred and twenty-five Naira, while Urum Community received three million, seven hundred and fourteen thousand, three hundred and forty-eight naira.
Ezira Community has four million six hundred and fifty-three thousand, one hundred Naira and the Ifite-Ogwari Community went home with five million, one hundred and forty-three thousand, two hundred and eighty one Naira, ninety-five kobo.