The World Bank Group would soon embark on developmental programmes to support the Federal Government’s governance, accountability and transparency drive, an official has said.
Rachid Benmessaoud, the World Bank Group Country Director for Nigeria, made this known on Monday when he visited the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, in Abuja.
Benmessaoud said the World Bank “is taking right steps to address the leading governance issues that will brighten Nigerian administration”.
Benmessaoud said the institution would engage to do rapid recovery and peace building assessment as requested by the Government of Nigeria.
The country director said the assessment would be presented in both hard and software formats to the Federal Government.
He said the bank had commenced conversation with cabinet members in order to formulate demands from the government of Nigeria in terms of the support to the development challenges in the country.
Benmessaoud said: “We have heard from the cabinet members about diversifying the revenue from oil sector and we have been working with the ministries of agriculture and solid minerals in this particular area.”
According to him, the World Bank will also assist Nigeria to improve its power sector.
Responding, the minister commended the World Bank Group for its laudable projects all over the world and particularly in Nigeria.
Onu said the government would intensify efforts on science, technology and innovation to grow the national economy.
He said: “We are not going to rely on other countries to help us develop our science and technology.
“It is just that we never paid sufficient attention to technology in the past.
“Once you have a grip on science and technology, then the country will advance rapidly.”
NAN.
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