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afrol News, 25 January - In the middle of the Ivorian civil war, the Abidjan-based African Development Bank (ADB) has decided to give a US$ 1.2 million grant to the government in the same city. The grant was to finance rural development in the south-eastern Agnéby region (under government control). Theodore Nkodo, ADB Vice-president and Bohoun Bouabre, Ivorian Minister of Economy and Finance have signed an agreement for a grant of franc CFA 727 million (US$ 1.2 million) to finance the study of the Agnéby region rural development plan in Côte d'Ivoire, ADB informs. The Agnéby region is located in the South-East forest region of the country. According to Mr Nkodo, the study was to help "identify the development options that are highly growth-led and best adapted to the ecological conditions of the Agnéby region." It would promote the utilisation of available water and land resources, agricultural production and livestock, private sector participation and environmental protection. The study also intends to lead to the introduction of a global information system on all aspects of the Agnéby region rural development, comprising mainly the location of rural infrastructure (feeder roads, equipped watering places, low grounds to be improved) and agricultural production. The priority project selected by the study was said to "contribute to poverty reduction in the Agnéby region and increase in the income of farmers through enhanced agricultural production and a better preservation of natural resources," according to Mr Nkodo. Ivorian Minister Bouabre expressed "satisfaction" with "unfailing
assistance and constant support from the Bank" and hoped that the
institution would pursue its assistance to Côte d'Ivoire particularly for
"the reconstruction of the country after the present crisis."
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