World Bank Officials to Meet Nigerian Government Authorities, Private Sector

By Dipo Olowookere

Senior officials of the World Bank Group are expected to have a meeting with the Federal Government today, Wednesday, May 09, 2018.

During the meeting, the global financial institution will focus its discussions on the various projects it is executing in some parts of the country.

The World Bank team will comprise about 10 Executive Directors, while the Federal Government’s delegation will consist of the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo; Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele; some State Governors and others.

“World Bank officials [are] to meet [with the] Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, Governors, Mrs Kemi Adeosun over projects in #Nigeria, a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday night confirmed.

“[The] World Bank Mission, comprising 10 Executive Directors, is expected in Nigeria Wednesday to hold high-level discussions with Vice President Prof Osinbajo; Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and some Governors over the Bank’s projects in the country,” the statement added.

“On the Mission are the Bank’s Exec Directors for Switzerland, France, Italy, Nordic, Peru, Germany, South Africa (representing Angola, Nigeria, S/Africa), Burkina Faso (rep Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa), Zimbabwe (representing Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa), the UK and Indonesia.

“The delegation will discuss ongoing World Bank projects and Nigeria’s development priorities with the Vice President, Minister of Finance and the State Governors,” it stated further.

It was disclosed that during the visit, “The officials will also meet with the organised private sector in Lagos, as well as undertake a tour of LAPO Microfinance project in Lagos and the Azura Power Plant in Edo State.”

The Finance Ministry explained that, “The visit is expected to provide a first-hand impression of the challenges that both the Federal and State Governments face in implementing development projects as well as ensuring good governance overall.”

“It will further support the goals of the World Bank regarding member-countries, as well as the effectiveness of the Executive Directors in providing the necessary support,” it said further.