Nile River Governor Announces the Return of the Local Development Fund

Nile River Governor Mohamed Al-Badawi Abdulmajeed Abu Qurun announced the return and resumption of the Local Development Fund’s work in the state after a hiatus of nearly a year and a half due to the country’s circumstances.

The governor chaired the fund’s first board meeting this year at the fund’s headquarters on Sunday, with the participation of Amira Ahmed Hassan, the Minister of Finance, Economy, and Labor in the state, who is also the chair of the board, along with all other members.

The governor praised the significant contributions of the Local Development Fund since its inception, noting that the fund has established comprehensive and balanced development, earning praise from everyone, including the World Bank, for the transparency it introduced in balanced development, project announcements, and tender processes. The governor stated that the fund is a source of pride for the state and saluted the fund’s founder and former director, Mohamed Suleiman Abdullah, for his role in the fund’s success as an unprecedented model at the state level, prompting the World Bank and federal authorities to replicate the experience in other states.

He also commended the considerable efforts of the previous Minister of Finance, Magoub Al-Sir Mohamed Ahmed, during whose tenure significant successes were achieved. He expressed confidence in the current Minister of Finance, Amira Ahmed Hassan, in bringing about major improvements in both the ministry and the fund. The governor called for the fund to contribute to comprehensive urban development and progress, moving away from traditional methods in constructing buildings towards vertical development.

The governor also announced the state’s move towards establishing major projects through partnerships with leading Turkish companies, particularly in the fields of food processing, leather production, iron manufacturing, and other small and craft industries. The goal is to benefit from the state’s products through manufacturing and exporting them to add value, especially as the development and expansion of Atbara Airport and the dry port in Atbara near completion. He also announced the start of work on the expansion and maintenance of roads in Damer and Atbara through the global Zadna Company and an agreement with Zadna to complete the government hotel in Damer. He emphasized that the state aspires to advance and develop in all aspects, affirming that the state is now considered the leader in all fields by federal authorities.