For judicious use of previous funds and proper execution of Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) projects, Abia State is to receive N1.2 billion for 2012 MDGs projects.

The N1.2b, a conditional cash transfer for 2012 MDGs projects, would be dedicated to execution of projects in four local government areas.

The benefitting local governments are Arochukwu, Ukwa East, Isiala Ngwa South and Umuahia North. While the federal government would provide half of the money, the state government would pay equal amount as counterpart fund.

An elated Special Adviser to the President on MDGs, Dr. (Mrs.) Precious Gbeneol, who was in Umuahia to commission MDGs projects worth N600m the federal government executed in collaboration with Abia State Government in the state for the 2011 project year, praised the state for fully executing the projects.

The projects include 17 ambulances for the 17 local government areas of the state and 43 health centres, completed and equipped in the three focal local government areas of Obingwa, Ikwuano and Ohafia.

Gbeneol said the projects were targeted at the poor with the aim of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger and improve the lives of vulnerable members of the society.

She urged benefiting communities and local government chairmen to ensure utilisation and maintenance of the projects.

Governor Theodore Orji said at the occasion that a total of 250 health centres and 10 solar boreholes, among others, have been constructed in the state since 2007 when Abia joined the MDGs programme.

He observed that the projects have made positive impact on lives of the people, especially the rural poor who have demonstrated this by providing adequate protection for the projects located in their areas and requested for inclusion of more local government areas from the state.

In her remark, Executive Secretary Abia Sate Planning Commission, Mrs. Adanma Iheuwa, said the state joined the league of MDG States in 2007, adding that since then the state has continued to benefit from the implementation of MDGs projects.

•Special Adviser to the President on MDGs, Dr. (Mrs.) Precious Gbeneol.