World Bank insist on proper implementation of APPEALS project in Nigeria
By the Admin
The Pre-7th Implementation support mission of the World Bank assisted APPEALS project has ended in Calabar with a view to proffering solutions to immediate challenges of the project.
The pre- mission is a prelude to the main mission with the objective of putting things in place for a hitch free mission, as well as proffering solutions to immediate challenges of the Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) project.
The National Project Coordinator of the APPEALS project represented by the National M&E Specialist and team leader, Mr Adekunle Adesoye in his short remark frowned at the slow implementation and disbursement and sued for restrategizing for better implementation.
In her remarks, the Commissioner of International Development Corporation (MIDC) Dr. Inyang Asibong stated that the State government is committed to the success of the APPEALS project in Cross River State and promised to transmit all messages to the state government for expected result.
The pre-mission team yesterday brainstormed with Stakeholders including the Project bankers on strategies to fast- track disbursement. As well as interacted with supported Clusters/farmers.
The team later undertook an inspection visit to various Project clusters in Calabar where the met direct beneficiaries and expressed satisfaction over the quality of projects carried out in compliance with laid down guidelines and specifications.
The National Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Mr. Adekunle Adesoye who led the team, appealed to the Cross River State Government to expedite action on the process of granting approvals for the release of counterpart funding which is part of the agreement the state had signed into as one of the pilot states.
Mr. Adesoye noted that the delay in the release of the Counterpart fund was impacting negatively on the speedy efficient realization of the program goals given the fact that World Bank assisted project has a limited span.
Most beneficiaries of the program who narrated their experiences during the inspection of their enterprise, identified lack of rural road infrastructure network, especially roads leading to project sites, security concerns as major challenges hampering their operations.
They however expressed delight over the World Bank intervention in poverty alleviation programs in the Country through grants and other forms of assistance.
The State Program Coordinator of APPEALS in Cross River, Dr. Masel Agim noted that greatest challenge is the beneficiaries who expect the grant to be channeled to them, whereas guidelines provide that each beneficiary is expected to identify a project and come up with an estimated cost, while the service provider would in turn apply for funds for the execution of the project.