Enugu Govt to support local development projects with 60% additional funding

Enugu State Government has announced its intention to provide a 60% supplement to the funding of development projects undertaken by local government councils in the state.

This move aims to accelerate grassroots development, with a specific focus on areas such as agriculture, agro-allied industrialization, and essential infrastructure.

The decision was made following a meeting of the Enugu State Economic Planning Commission at the Government House in Enugu.

The primary goal is to stimulate the rural economy and generate employment opportunities for young people in the region.

Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the Secretary to the State Government, emphasized the government’s desire to establish a productive partnership with local governments by offering additional funds for selected projects aligned with the state’s economic agenda.

These projects aim to boost agricultural activities, agro-allied industrialization, and the creation of agro-allied processing zones, as well as the establishment of a 300,000-hectare land bank for commercial farming.

The SSG also highlighted that local governments would play a crucial role in enhancing economic activities in rural areas, thereby reducing the potential for criminal activities. The partnership involves the state government contributing 60% of the funds required for specific agreed-upon projects between the state and local governments.

Meanwhile, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Enugu State chapter, expressed appreciation for the state government’s counterpart funding.

He believed this partnership would enable local governments to execute a greater number of high-quality projects benefiting rural communities and economies. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of transparency, traceability, and accountability in managing local government funds through this collaboration, which he deemed crucial for its success.

ALGON pledged its commitment and cooperation to advance the state’s progress through this initiative.