We’re Committed To World Bank-Backed Ibadan Flood Control Project-Makinde
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has expressed his unwavering commitment to the timely completion of the World Bank-backed Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP), in the interests of the people of the state.
This is as he also appealed to the World Bank not to withdraw its conditional no objection for the Second Pool of Long Term Investments (PLTI2) BERs and pleaded that it should make available funding for the contracts.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, the state government also debunked insinuations that the World Bank had withdrawn its commitment to IUFMP, due to an alelleged display of undue interests by the governor.
“The commitment of the governor and Oyo State government is coming at a time when World Bank, in its correspondence of 30 July, 2021 to Governor Makinde, pointed out administrative issues and strengthening of the safeguard team.
“The Bank, nonetheless, expressed a recognition of Governor Makinde’s unwavering support to the important project,” the statement read.
According to the statement, the World Bank said it recognised “…Your Excellency’s unwavering support to this important project for the safety and well-being of Ibadan’s citizens.”
It noted that, while a correspondence from the World Bank, signed by Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, Country Director, Nigeria, Western and Central Africa Region, had conveyed the determination of the status of its support for the project, the said decision was not as a result of undue interference by Governor Makinde.
“The government of Oyo State remained committed to its letter of undertaking submitted to the Bank in May 2021,” the statement read.
It further stated: “Already, Governor Makinde’s appeal has been forwarded to the World Bank with six strategic and critical progress milestones comprising Activities, Proactive Steps and Status.”
The statement further quoted Makinde as drawing the attention of the World Bank to the “proactive steps already taken and the commitment of the Project (IUFMP) in the last two months,” while he also outlined areas of alignment with the observations made by the financial institution.
The statement noted that of strategic importance is Governor Makinde’s revalidation of an earlier written undertaking that “the state will continue to fund and complete works post-June 2022 project completion date, should project works at all Lots extend beyond the end date.
“Contrary to insinuations in some partisan quarters about interests and lack of continuity, only last week, IUFMP awarded dredging of 45 streams within and around Ibadan metropolis, as part of its palliative measures.
“The dredging exercise is ongoing, helping to provide instant relief to residents of flood-prone areas where structural interventions are yet to take place.
“Work on the long-term investments is on-going on the channels of Agodi, Kudeti, Ogbere, Orogun, etc. as earlier launched, barring the occasional drawbacks by the inclement weather.
“No where in the letter from the World Bank were issues of personal interest or insistence on some contractors mentioned.”
