Governor Makinde Reiterates Commitment to Ibadan Flood Control World Bank Project

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed his avowed commitment to the timely completion of the World Bank-backed Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project (IUFMP).

The governor further appealed to the World Bank not to withdraw its conditional no objection for the Second Pool of Long Term Investments (PLTI2) BERs, and make funding available for the contracts.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the state also rejected insinuations that the World Bank had withdrawn its commitment to IUFMP due to display of undue interests by the governor.

The commitment of the governor and the Oyo State Government is coming at a time when the World Bank, in its correspondence of July 30, 2021, to Governor Makinde, pointed out administrative issues and strengthening of the safeguard team.

“The Bank, nonetheless, expressed a recognition of Governor Makinde’s unwavering support to the important project.”

The statement noted that while a correspondence from the World Bank, signed by Mr. Shubham Chaudhuri, Country Director, Nigeria, Western and Central Africa Region, had conveyed the determination of the status of its support for the project, the said decision was not as a result of undue interference by Governor Makinde.

“The government of Oyo State remained committed to its letter of undertaking submitted to the Bank in May, 2021. Governor Makinde’s appeal has been forwarded to the World Bank with six strategic and critical progress milestones comprising Activities, Proactive Steps and Status,” the statement reads.

The governor as draw the attention of the World Bank to the proactive steps already taken and the commitment of the Project (IUFMP), in the last two months.

The governor also outlined areas of alignment with the observations made by the financial institution.

“The state will continue to fund and complete works post-June, 2022 project completion date, should project works at all Lots extend beyond the end date” is of strategic importance.

“Contrary to insinuations in some partisan quarters about interests and lack of continuity, only last week, IUFMP awarded dredging of forty-five streams within and around Ibadan metropolis, as part of its palliative measures. 

“The dredging exercise is ongoing, helping to provide instant relief to residents of flood-prone areas where structural interventions are yet to take place. Work on the long-term investments is on-going on the channels of Agodi, Kudeti, Ogbere, Orogun, etc. as earlier launched, barring the occasional drawbacks by the inclement weather.” 

“Nowhere in the letter from the World Bank were issues of personal interest or insistence on some contractors mentioned,” the statement concludes.