Aregbesola Is A Worthy Recipient That Has Won The Support Of Foreign And Local Donors For Projects- Olugbile

World Bank Expert, Dr Micheal Olugbile, has commended Governor Rauf Aregbesola for his commitment towards the implementation of most developmental projects which had really transformed the state within the spate of eight years in office.

Olugbile, Head of Programme Delivery Unit (PDU) who gave the commendation on Friday in Osogbo, described the governor as a worthy recipient that have won the support of both foreign and local donors for some projects in the state.

According to him, Governor Aregbesola prioritize payments of counterpart funds before any projects is being funded by foreign donors.

“The governor does not take the counterpart fund for granted and the payments of such funds had really help the state to deliver services to its people, ” he said.

The World Bank expert noted that one of the scheme that needed more counterpart fund was the YESO ” Youth Empowerment Scheme ” because of its importance attached to the youths.

Olugbile identified some projects embarked upon by the present administration which deserved an applause for the governor to include : RAMP, SLOGOR, CSDP, ILESA WATER, among many others .

“The PDU has a key responsibility of soliciting international funded projects and intervention as well as development partners and international relations with various international donor agencies such as the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, French Development Agency and among others.

‘’Only government that are credit worthy will only have access to credit facilities and grants from international donors, which has made it very possible for Osun state to develop to the level it is right now.

‘’ Such projects that have been implemented and ongoing are, the ilesa water project and piping that is about $65m Islamic Development Bank Loan, the RAMP project that is billed to construct 317km of roads, in which 217km have been completed and the second phase of RAMP will 300km of road constructed, the FADAMA 11 project, Saving One Million Lives in the health sector and among others.

’’Government accountability has made it very possible for international donors to invest in Osun state, and with PDU in place, it has made all projects visible and implemented , which has made the state to be ranked low in unemployment level, low in poverty level and second best performing state in project implementation from intervention donors.

He said,” The Ilesa Water project incurred about $65 Million with the support of the Federal Government, Islamic Development Bank(IDB) and the state government.

“SLOGOR got a grant of 7.395Euro from foreign donors while CSDP also got $4Million likewise among other projects.

” RAMP was also a $60Million projects among other projects which had really impacted the lives of most citizens of the state, ” Olugbile said.

According to him, the donor organisations found Osun to be a worthy partner, noting that every donor have its financial management processed before any implementations.

He commended the Federal Government, African Development Bank (ADB), The European Union, The Islamic Development Bank, The United Nations, among other donors for their kind support towards the success of most projects in the state.

Olugbile ,however, thanked Governor Rauf Aregbesola for giving him the chance to work with him for the growth of the state and urged every citizen to continue praying for the governor after leaving office.