ZMSG expends N1.2bn as counterpart fund for community development projects

Zamfara State governor, Bello Matawalle says his administration has so far paid the sum of N1.2 billion counterpart contribution to donor-assisted community projects in the state.

The is contained in statement by the Chief Press Secretary to governor, Mr Jamilu Iliyasu, and made available to Nigerian NewsDirect on Sunday in Gusau.

According to the statement, the governor disclosed the sum when he received the National Community and Social Development Projects (CSDP) TV Documentary Team and officials of the CSDP Federal Projects Support Unit in his office.

He explained that out of the amount, N150 million was released to the state office of CSDP for the execution of the year 2019/2020 CSDP projects in the state.

The statement quoted the governor as saying  that the money was released to CSDP as a result of his administration’s recognition of the critical role that the organisation plays in meeting the development needs and the yearning of rural communities in the provision of basic infrastructure.

Matawalle said he had since assumption of office, supported the agency in its assistance to 88 communities and groups, execution of 207 projects and the utilisation  of N639 million on various community projects.

He also expressed delight that CSDP has been able to accomplish all these within 15 months of his administration.

The governor also thanked CSDP for assisting the state with of the sum of N235 million, to facilitate the implementation of the

Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery for Economic Stimulus (N-CARES) programme in the state.

He confirmed that the fund was used to equip the state N-CARES Coordinating office as well as three implementing platforms of CSDP, the Fadama Coordinating office and the state Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

Matawalle  assured that the state government would continue to collaborate with CSDP and other organisations to achieve the desired result.

Speaking earlier, head of National CSDP TV Documentary Team, Alhaji Hamisu Rogo, and the head of the Federal Projects Support Unit of CSDP, Mr Niyi Adeniyi,  said the team was in Zamfara state as part of its assessment tour to all the 36 state CSDP projects offices.

The team commended gov. Matawalle for his support to CSDP activities within a short period of time.