The Senate on Wednesday approved the inclusion of the
Lagos State Development Policy Operation II (DPO) into the proposed pipeline
projects under the 2012-2014 external borrowing plan. This allows the Lagos State Government to borrow the second
tranche of $200 million from the World Bank. The senate took the decision after considering the report of the
Ehigie Uzamere (APC-Edo) led committee on Local and Foreign Debts.
President Goodluck Jonathan had on October 24, urged the
National Assembly to include the Lagos State Development Policy Operation (DPO)
of $200 million into the 2012-2014 Medium Term Borrowing Plan (MTBP).
Mr. Jonathan said the fund formed part of the credit of $600
million granted to theLagos State Government in 2010 for implementation in three
batches.
The President’s letter to the Senate President, David Mark,
which was read during a plenary session, said the amount was not captured in
the 2012-2014 MTBP. “The World Bank approved a Development Policy Operation (Budget
Support) for a total credit amount of 600 million dollars to the Lagos State
Government in 2010.
“The fund is expected to be implemented in three tranches of 200
million dollars each. “The first tranche was approved by the National Assembly in
the 2010 Borrowing Plan,” he said. According to him, the Development Policy Operation (DPO) 1 was
implemented in 2011.
“However, given the importance of the second tranche to the
success and sustainability of the first tranche, I wish to submit it for your
consideration for inclusion in the current borrowing plan,” the president said.
The proposed $200 million DPO is to enable the state to complete
some critical infrastructure projects, including the Ultra-modern Burns Centre
and Cardiac and Renal Centre in Gbagada.
The credit facility is also expected to cover the 27km light
rail on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway Corridor to Marina and the completion of
the 70 million gallon per day Adiyan water facility, among others.
(NAN)
Source: Premium Times
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