The Abia State Government has unveiled plans to implement community development programs aimed at promoting balanced socio-economic growth in rural areas. The announcement was made by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr. Okey Kanu, following a meeting of the State Executive Council in Umuahia.

Kanu emphasized that the programs, known as "Community Choose Your Project," will be executed through the Abia State Community Social Development Agency. The government's focus on rebuilding the state will extend beyond the major cities of Aba and Umuahia, as it aims to strategically invest in rural areas.

To ensure effective implementation, government officials will visit various rural communities to engage with the residents and identify their infrastructure needs. The communities will have the opportunity to select the projects they want the government to undertake, with a maximum cost limit of N15 million per project.

Kanu explained that the government has introduced an equity participation measure to ensure the success of the program. Under this measure, participating communities will contribute 5% of the project cost, which will foster a sense of ownership and commitment.

The Commissioner highlighted the importance of community investment, stating that when people contribute their efforts and resources to a venture, they tend to take it more seriously. By involving the communities in the funding process, the government aims to ensure their active participation and ownership of the projects.

Rev. Father Christian Anokwuru, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, encouraged interested communities to submit a letter of application to the agency, specifying their preferred project. He also emphasized that each community must have a bank account through which project funds will be transferred.

Ultimately, the projects will be jointly owned by the government and the benefiting communities, fostering a collaborative approach to development and ensuring sustainable progress in rural areas.

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