Coronavirus: World Bank approves $20m grant for Ekiti

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi on Monday confirmed that the World Bank has approved a grant of $20m for the state to execute projects targeted at cushioning the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on Ekiti citizens.

Fayemi said the fund, which would be released under the Nigeria CARES initiative, would be deployed to undertake projects in rural communities to reduce poverty and propel the local economy, The Punch reports.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Development Partnership, Mrs Margaret Fagboyo, spoke in Ado Ekiti during a review programme organised by Ekiti State Social and Community Development Agency for community projects executed in the state since 2009.

He said, “I am happy to inform our people that the World Bank has approved a new project called the Nigeria CARES as a post COVID-19 intervention grant for Ekiti State. The grant is in excess of $20m as a stimulus fund to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our various communities.”

Fayemi praised the partnering communities for believing in his rural development policy by contributing over N200m as counterpart funding to boost the Community and Social Development Programme.