&4.63M World bank Refund. Bello has demonstrated rare prudence in governance— Barr.Ladi Jato , Newmap Boss.
The Kogi state project Coordinator of Nigeria’Erosion and Watershed Management Project Newmap , Barrister Ladi Jato has described the refund of 4.63 billion dollars of the unspent budget by governor Yahaya Bello as a rare display of predunce and transparency in the management of public funds.
Barr. Ladi Jatto, who noted that the refund of the money was a reflection of the good leadership style of Gov. Yahaya Bello led administration.
According to her, Kogi NEWMAP will not by anyway be affected adversely by this act; the State had surplus after all commitments on the ongoing projects; it’s only normal to refund the balance at the closure, but His Excellency opted to assist a State in deficit.
On the project implementation, she reiterated that “works are ongoing in four priority sites, while the Kogi State Government had already carried out the Engineering Designs, and all necessary studies that usually cause delay in implementation , for Ankpa, Ugwolawo, Etahi, Kabba Bunu and Idah. These designs have been cleared by the World Bank, and will be accommodated in the second phase of NEWMAP/ACRESAL project, after the current extension”, she said.
She added that the surplus refunded was what paved way for the recent extension being enjoyed by the Project nationwide, to enable the completion of ongoing works under NEWMAP States.
She thanked Governor Bello for giving the organisation a free hand to operate, and assured that the organisation would continue to fulfill its mandate to the people of the State.
Meanwhile the country Director of World bank Shubham Chaudhuri, has also commended Governor Bello for his sense of prudence in the management of public funds, stressing that he has demonstrated highest quality of a true leader.
