The Oyo state Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has called for transparency and more commitment for total restructuring of the existing relationship, between Oyo state Government and the World Bank to reduce poverty in the state.
Governor Ajimobi stated this while receiving the World Bank team led by the Country Director Engr Benmessauod Rachid at the Executive Council Chambers of the Governor’s office.
Governor Ajimobi explained that previous projects of the World Bank in Oyo State were not transparent enough while the project directors have also failed to report to Oyo State government, as they claim they were directly responsible to the World Bank.
The governor also complained about the slow response of the World Bank to the distress call of Oyo govt. during the August 26, flood disasters, stressing that the disaster was not given the urgency it deserves in 2011, as most of the project were yet to be completed till date.
However, the governor thereafter solicited the cooperation of the World Bank to resolve some of the challenges facing the state government in the areas of education, through human capital development, capacity building for teachers and out of school Programme for children.
He also called for assistance on Ibadan Water Supply Schemes, Ibadan Central Sewage Plan and Ajumose waste to wealth project which the Governor noted would assist in the development of the state.
Earlier in his submission, the World Bank Country Director Engr. Benmessauod Rachid said the World Bank is presently executing about six projects in the state valued at about 241 million Dollars.
He confirmed receiving the request of Oyo State Government to assist the state Government in the areas of education, rural road network for agricultural development amongst others, and expressed readiness to offer the needed assistance to improve access to quality education and improve standard of living.
