The World Bank, through its Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), is set to start disbursing additional 140million dollars (N27.6 billion ), to 26 states and FCT, for community-driven projects.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja, by the World Bank Nigeria Senior Communications Specialist, Mr. Obadiah Tohomdet.

According to the statement, after the recent disbursement, the amount disbursed so far from 2009 when the project started till date would be 340 million dollars.

“States to benefit from the additional financing will focus on the most vulnerable households in poor communities in the country.

“The additional financing is expected to fund micro-project facilities such as rehabilitation and construction of schools, health centres, rural electrification, rural transport, community housing schemes, rural market infrastructure and other key amenities.

“This projects will not only help vulnerable people in the short term, including those in conflict-affected areas, but will also help build and rebuild long-lasting partnership between local governments and communities.”

The bank said that vulnerable groups such as internally displaced poor persons, marginalised or chronically poor households, widows and the physically challenged, will also benefit from special grants in the projects.

It stated that the latest disbursement will end on December 31, 2017.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the first phase of the World Bank funding benefited more than 5,600 communities and about two million people in 26 states of the federation. (NAN)