The World Bank has committed over $200 million towards the development of Ekiti State with Governor Biodun Oyebanji seeking more collaboration with various partners.
The World Bank Country Director, Dr Ndiame Diop, disclosed this during the Governor’s engagement, adding that $60m has been disbursed so far in some critical aspects of the development of Ekiti State.
Diop said the funds are directed at eight different projects across key sectors such as Education, health, social protection,water and sanitation and women’s economic empowerment.
He called for more effective collaboration from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the success of the projects.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the Director commended Governor Oyebanji for his determination to the state’s development and for engaging with partners to discuss ways to improve and leverage partnerships towards addressing challenges on how to develop Ekiti.
While commending the state’s good track records of implementation of the bank’s projects, Diop said more projects opportunities would soon come to Ekiti in critical sectors such as irrigation, hydro power, and agriculture, health and education, among others.
Oyebanji has also sought an increased collaboration and partnership with both local and international development agencies to ensure all round development of the state’s economy.
The governor who made the request on Tuesday during a strategic meeting with Heads of Development Agencies at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, said with the right partnership and collaboration, Ekiti’s development goals could be significantly accelerated through mutual cooperation and resources sharing.
According to him, Ekiti is not looking for help, rather, what the state government wants is partnership and collaboration that would accelerate growth and development.
Highlighting numerous reforms by his administration to create a conducive atmosphere for investment, the governor emphasized Ekiti’s top position in transparency index and its recognition as the safest state in the country has made it an ideal environment for business operations.
“We are government that is reform minded, transparent, we are accountable and am leading a team that is competent and committed to the mandate of this administration,” he said.
“Everything we are doing in Ekiti is already planned for. We know the track we are following, we know the step we have taken and we are trying our best within the available resources to as a state, but we know that we have the capacity and ability to do more.
“That is why we have invited you here today to say, please handhold us in areas where your institutions can partner and collaborate with us. Let us work together so that we can deliver good governance to the people of Ekiti State.
“We tick all boxes in transparency, we have regulatory instrument in the state that ensures that we deliver on projects, and for those of you that have one programs or the other in Ekiti, you will know that we adhere strictly to protocols for implementation, and that speaks to our commitment to doing things the right way.”
On the ease of doing business in Ekiti, Oyebanji said: “We have gone so far. I head and chair the committee on Ease of Doing Business. We have streamlined business permit, enforcement of contracts.
“We are at a point of having a one- stop shop physically and virtually that addresses the concerns of investors in the state.”
