News Release No: 3/2008/NGCO/AFR
Contacts:
In Washington: John Donaldson
(202) 473 1367)
jdonaldson@worldbank.org
In Abuja: Obadiah Tohomdet
(09-3145269-75)
otohomdet@worldbank.org
ABUJA, January 28, 2008 — During a recent visit to Nigeria, World Bank Vice President for the Africa Region Obiageli Ezekwesili participated in a meeting with the governors of Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states and with development partners, in which she expressed the readiness of the Bank to assist states in the Niger Delta in improving resource management for a better development impact.
“The Niger Delta region is a major development challenge,” Ezekwesili said. “States of the region have more resources than other states in Nigeria, yet poverty remains high (43 percent), and human development indicators are very poor (an average life expectancy of 43, and 12 percent of infants do not live to see their first birthday). Development partners can help, but the resources are limited.”
Despite her statement, Ezekwesili assured meeting participants that the Bank and other development partners stand ready to assist Delta region states in strengthening public resource management and accountability, and in establishing systems to ensure that resources spent achieve tangible development impact.
The vice president said the Bank will continue to work on community development projects which have proven very effective in community empowerment. Such projects have assisted in building social capital and making a difference in the lives of the common people by improving their access to safe water, health and education. She urged the governors to consider scaling up funding for successful community projects.
On management of resources, Ezekwesili said the World Bank has in the past provided support to the Nigerian government in the implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative ( EITI) and will continue to do so.
“The Bank provides governments with financial assistance, but more importantly with the knowledge, technical assistance and capacity development needed to put in place the policies, institutions and investment plans that would spur development and reduce poverty,” Ezekwesili said.
Ezekwesili noted that Nigeria has been an international leader in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative adding that the implementation of NEITI by Niger Delta states could be a strong signal of the resolve of the states, and Nigeria as a whole, to promote transparency, accountability and development.
Present at the meeting were Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa and Obong Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State.
Over the next few months, a team will work out the modalities for the assistance and partnership between the Bank, Donors and States of the Delta Region.
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