The Imo state government on Wednesday said the World Bank has rewarded the government with a whopping sum of Four million US dollars which he said was about (N6.8 billion)for engendering good governance and accountability in the ease of doing business in the state.


The State Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri.

He mentioned that Imo was among only four states in Nigeria that qualified for the reimbursement under the World Bank’s State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme for the country.


According to the Commissioner, the states were assessed under efficiency of land administration, regulatory framework for private investment in fiber optic infrastructure, services provided by investment promotion agencies and the efficiency and transparency of government-to-business services in Participating states, adding that; “the state excelled in the four criteria, thus qualifying it to be rewarded with the huge sum for the consolidation of its programmes.”


Among other reasons he said the state got the world Bank reward was because it “Prioritised efficiency and transparency in government to business services, the state has engendered a culture of accountability in its relationships with relevant stakeholders.”


When he was further asked of the benefits of such funds, he said: “This is like a pass mark from world Bank that in terms of Easy of doing business our state is among the best. It is a reward for hard work. The fund means that if you do well they reward you for doing well in these areas especially in the area of infrastructure development. The Imo people will be satisfied that extra cash will be provided for more development especially in rural roads.”


He summarized the award “as a testament to the government’s commitment to progressive governance, economic empowerment and sustainable development. Under the focused administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma, Imo State implemented firm policy initiatives to improve land administration, enabling seamless land registration and boosting land-based investments through transparent governance Uzodimma has boosted the confidence of investors in the state, especially in the area of digital connectivity.”


However, he said: “Contrary to the submissions of critics of government, Uzodimma had been working very hard interacting with investors within and outside Nigeria to buy into the investment opportunities available in the state. Imo state has made giant strides in strengthening its investment promotion agencies to ensure that they attracted the best investors to the state.”


He concluded by saying: “The government’s achievements in the SABER programme of the World Bank are a confirmation of Uzodimma’s leadership initiatives aimed at making Imo the investment hub in Nigeria.”