Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has approved a N450 million counterpart fund for the Nigeria For Women Project, a World Bank project to empower women.

Mr Eno announced the approval on Friday when he hosted a World Bank delegation to his office at the Government House, Uyo.

The delegation was led by the Country Director for Nigeria, Shudham Chaudhury.

The governor expressed his administration’s readiness to partner with agencies in priority areas of agriculture and rural development.

He affirmed that the bank’s vision connects with his administration’s ARISE Agenda.

“For now, agriculture is the key thing the ARISE agenda addresses. We can work with the World Bank to scale up agricultural potentials and guarantee food security in the state,” Mr Eno said.

“On the N450 million that was supposed to be contributed, I know I have given the approval, and I can tell you that in the next one week, we will disburse it,” Mr Eno said.

The governor said the state would close the gaps in the existing projects and explore more areas of partnership with the bank to benefit the Akwa Ibom people.

He spoke of the need for accountability and responsibility towards the government on the part of personnel handling the projects in the state.

Earlier, the bank’s country director said his visit was to share his knowledge with the state and to give an overview of the institution’s efforts and support to Nigeria in furthering the nation’s development.

He said the bank would continue to take responsibility for Nigerian progress and solving development challenges to lift the people out of poverty. 

(NAN)