Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has assured the World Bank of his administration’s commitment to sustaining the IMPACT healthcare programme, describing it as a rare intervention that directly benefits the people.
The Governor gave the assurance on Monday in Abakaliki when he received the World Bank Mission Assessment team, led by Onoriode Ezire, on a courtesy visit to evaluate the project’s impact.
“This is the first time the World Bank is doing a project we are celebrating, not only benefiting from,” Governor Nwifuru observed.
He told the delegation that his government prioritises programmes aligned with the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, which forms the bedrock of his administration’s development philosophy.
“If we see this type of project again from World Bank, we will join. The IMPACT of this project is being seen. It is in line with what our people want,” he stated.
The Governor highlighted his administration’s investments in healthcare infrastructure, noting that Ebonyi now ranks among states with functional health facilities.
“We have built staff quarters, undertook landscaping and built a conducive environment for the people. Our MRI machines, CT Scan and others are fully functional,” Nwifuru said.
He assured the World Bank team that the state would go beyond merely complementing the bank’s efforts.
“We are not only going to complement your efforts, we are going to exceed your expectations. We have seen the benefit, we have seen the need for the project and we will sustain it,” the Governor assured.
Earlier, Team Lead Onoriode Ezire expressed appreciation for the Governor’s achievements in healthcare delivery, describing Ebonyi as a home to him.
“We want to extend our appreciation to you. Ebonyi State is like a home to me. We are happy we are visiting this state. We thank you for delivering the C-T Scan, MRI machines, recruiting 328 workers and ensuring the healthcare system is moving smoothly,” Ezire said.
He explained that the mission was in the state to assess how the programme can be sustained as it is scheduled to phase out this year.
“We are here to see how this programme can be sustained as it will be signed out this year. And also how do we tell the story of the success of the Impact Programme? We are happy you are insisting on excellence in medical services delivery to the people,” he added.
The World Bank IMPACT project focuses on improving healthcare access and service delivery in Ebonyi State, with the Governor’s commitment now seen as critical to its long-term sustainability beyond the bank’s direct involvement.