RWANDA: WORLD BANK REGIONAL ENVOY VISITS
AllAfrica.com
Rwanda News Agency
10 September 2007
Washington
A senior World Bank envoy covering four countries Judy O’Connor starts
on Monday a three day working visit to Rwanda, RNA has established.
According to the Bank’s Kigali Office, Ms. O’Connor is the newly
appointed World Bank regional director for Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo
and the Republic of Congo.
Communications Officer Kayihura Rogers told RNA that Ms. O’Connor
will meet with senior government officials in an effort to familiarize
with her scope of operation.
She replaces Mr. Pedro Alba who was in July moved to the South American
portfolio covering Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay. She has
been regional envoy covering Tanzania and Uganda for the Africa.
Since 1976 – when Ms. O’Connor joined the bank, the Irish national
has risen up the ranks. In 1997, Ms. O’Connor became the World Bank
director for Armenia and Georgia.
Numerous World Bank top officials have been to Rwanda including former
President Paul Wolfowitz who disgracefully resigned in June following
a controversial affair.
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The Bank has a financial commitment of $ 358.6 million in Rwanda but
$ 131.32 million still remains to be disbursed as different projects
are still under execution.
The funding for Rwanda comes in "100% grants" because the country is
among the many that have a "low debt carrying capacity" – essentially
meaning it can barely pay back even if it was given the credit.
Figures provided by the country office indicate that majority WB
support goes into Agriculture with 20%.
Infrastructure development and capacity building both consume 15.3%
each. Governance on its part – the lowest – has covered 5.6%.