Bakassi (Cross River), May 22, 2025 (Naija247news/NAN) – The Cross River State Government has successfully completed 49 micro projects across 24 communities in 13 local government areas, as part of its commitment to grassroots development under the World Bank-assisted Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA) programme.
Speaking during the inauguration of one of the projects in Ifiang Ayong community, Bakassi LGA, the General Manager of CSDA, Mr. Fidel Udie, stated that the projects were delivered within the first two years of Governor Bassey Otu’s administration.
“These 49 projects are clear evidence of Governor Otu’s dedication to improving rural livelihoods and economic conditions across the state,” Udie said.
He explained that the CSDA model is driven by a community-driven development (CDD) approach, where communities identify, plan, and implement their priority needs with technical support from the agency.
“The CSDA supports communities in executing self-help projects, giving them direct access to critical social infrastructure and services,” Udie added.
Highlighting the cost-effectiveness of the model, Udie noted that most of the projects were executed using direct labour, allowing for reduced costs and quicker implementation timelines.
“These bottom-up projects are sustainable because they are community-owned and community-managed,” he said.
The projects cut across sectors including education, health, water supply, rural electrification, and community centres.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Hippolatus Lukpata, Commissioner for International Donor Coordination, described the development as a tangible result of the governor’s “People First” governance philosophy.
“Governor Otu’s commitment to inclusive development is evident in how these projects are transforming lives in remote and underserved communities,” Lukpata stated.
The initiative underscores the strategic collaboration between Cross River State and global development partners to deliver sustainable, citizen-centered progress across the state’s rural areas.
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Reporting by Joshua Chinonye in Lagos, Nigeria.
