The Community Driven Development Project (CDDP) recently disbursed over 3 million dalasis to 22 villages, seven wards and three clusters at a presentation ceremony held at the governor's office in Bantaba in Basse, Upper River Region (URR).

Addressing the beneficiaries shortly after presenting the cheques, Bala Musa Konateh, the grand facility manager of CDDP, expressed his delight over the disbursement of funds to the intervention communities as well as wards, noting that this was inline with the World Bank (WB) and CDDP implementation strategies designed towards the empowerment of the rural communities to enable them take  charge of their own developmental needs.

Konateh observed that the disbursement was very  timely; noting that it came at a time when the rainy season had just started and that, most of the main and sub -projects  are agriculturally- oriented. While expressing satisfaction over the successful implementation of all the sub-projects in 2008 and 2009, Konateh advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the funds. Omar Sampo Ceesay, the chairman of Basse Area Council (BSAC) advised beneficiaries to utilise the funds properly.

He called on ward councillors to ensure a successful implementation of village sub-projects  as well as ward projects for complete  sustainability. Njago Khan, the community development officer in URR, also expressed similar sentiments. He implored the MDFTs as facilitation teams to ensure effective utilisation of the funds.