The U.S. Ambassador, James Entwistle, on Friday disbursed 250,000 dollars (about N50 million) to 35 organisations to execute community projects in 20 states across the country.
 
At the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony with the beneficiaries in Abuja, before the fund was disbursed, Entwistle said the grant was U.S. government’s significant investment in Nigerians.
 
He said that the gesture, which was under U.S Ambassador’s Small Grants Program and would generate huge returns, was targeted at small community-based development projects.
 
He said that the programme had been on for two decades, partnering local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) across the country.
 
According to him, projects under the scheme have helped in improving the living conditions of Nigerians within their towns and villages.
 
``This year, approximately $250,000 will fund the construction of classrooms, health clinics, community centres, food processing mills, boreholes and latrines.
 
``The funds will also provide books, classroom furniture, laboratory equipment, carpentry equipment, and brick-making machines.
 
``Some funding will benefit communities affected by HIV/Aids by addressing economic, nutritional and Hygienic needs,” he said.
 
Entwistle said that the U.S. partnership with Nigeria was to improve basic economic and social conditions and promote a conscious responsibility to lift up the society.
 
He stressed that his country was always willing to help people who were trying to help themselves.
 
``While the U.S. is proud to support the establishment of the projects, we take greater delight in seeing communities become self-reliant and self-sustaining, independent of assistance.
 
``We remain confident that each community can maintain momentum and continue to grow for many years to come,” he said.
 
Speaking on behalf of recipients of the grant, Mrs Lola Ologuntoye, commended the U.S. government for assisting the vulnerable, especially women and children, in Nigeria
 
Ologuntoye said that though government and the NGOs were trying their best in addressing the enormous challenge, the need still existed for the support of international donors.
 
She pledged that the awardees would be transparent, judicious and accountable in the execution of their different projects.
 
One of the awardees, Mr Joseph Abubakar of Family Welfare Association, said that 7,550 dollars given to his organisation would be used to construct toilets for Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Gaya Local Government, Kano.
 
Mr Jude Odogwu of Illah Youth Association in Oshimili North, Delta, who got 4,200 dollars, assured that the fund would be used to purchase white dry erase boards and accessories for four underserved public schools in Illah.
 
He said that no fewer than 10,000 students and teachers would benefit from the intervention.