Obiano lauds ASCSDA for stellar performance

By Polycarp Onwubiko and Kingsley Ugwu

THE Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has commended the Anambra State Community and Social Development Agency (ASCSDA) for its remarkable achievements in actualising the policy and programmes of the state government in executing World Bank assisted rural development micro projects.

The governor made the commendation at the Professor Dora Akunyili Development Centre, Awka, on the occasion of public presentation of ASCSDA Projects-Additional Financing (CSDPAF) achievements.

The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service, Harry Uduh, said that the agency had done so well in just two years of its existence going by the catalogue of what it had presented to the public.

The Head of Service said that the governor had promised to back the agency with the needed Cash Counterpart Contribution (CCC), to ensure the continuity of the micro projects in the needed communities and the vulnerable segment of the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman, Board of Directors of the agency and Nteje monarch, Igwe Roland Odegbo said that the development objective of the agency was the increase of access by the poor to improved social and natural resource infrastructure services in a sustainable manner throughout Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Development Partners, Mark Okoye, whose ministry oversees the agency said that Anambra State celebratesdthe resilience, hard work and success of the agency in spite of the challenges.

According to the commissioner, “the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Partners (MEP & PD) has always promoted participatory approaches to governance as part of the policy thrusts and paradigm shifts championed by Governor Willie Obiano’s administration.”

In a goodwill message, the World Bank Community and Social Development Agencies, (CSDA)’s Director, Professor Foluso Okunmadewa, through the General Manager and CEO, team leader, CSDAs World Bank, Chudi Mojekwu said the World Bank was happy to be part of the historic milestone in the footprints of a dynamic, impressive, and impactful pro-poor basic service delivery program in Nigeria and in Anambra State in particular.

Mojekwu commended Governor Obiano for his efforts to meet the Counterpart Cash Contributions and appealed to him to sustain the tempo for the betterment of the social and economic wellbeing of the people.

In his own contribution, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Sir Beneth Izuchukwu Emeka, said his community had benefitted from the agency’s mandate, saying that it is a huge plus to Governor Obiano for the landmark achievements. He cited the International Cargo and Passengers Airport, International Conference Centre amongst many monumental achievements of the governor.

Highlights of the event were presentation of award to ASCDA and amazing callisthenics display from Atilogu cultural troupe.