Social and economic development programme launch in Akwa Ibom State

Description:

A team of European Union (EU) and Federal Government officials will visit Akwa Ibom State on 02 February 2010 to discuss the implementation of a new Micro Projects Programme in nine states of the Niger Delta region (MPP9).

The EU and government officials will hold talks with the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, and other officials on various issues regarding the micro projects programme and to launch the programme to the general public. Specifically, the officials will also use the opportunity discuss, among other things, a Memorandum of Understanding with state on the implementation modalities with Local Government Areas (LGAs).

The micro projects programme, funded by the European Union (EU), is worth N9.2 Billion (€45.5 Million). The objective of the programme is to accelerate social and economic development and to assist in resolving the conflicts in the Niger Delta region.

The programme is financed by the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU) under the 9th European Development Fund (EDF). It is managed by the National Planning Commission in partnership with the European Union Delegation to Nigeria.

The programme will focus on supporting the reform processes of government to ensure a transparent and accountable poverty reduction process and thus enhancing effective and efficient service delivery to the citizenry at the grassroots. About 1200 micro projects are foreseen by MPP9 in the 9 Niger Delta States in the next three years, out of which about 130 will be implemented in Akwa Ibom State.

The head office of the MPP9 Programme Management Unit is located in Calabar, Cross River State, with each state of the Niger Delta having a Decentralized Management Unit. In Akwa Ibom state the DMU is located in Uyo.

The State Launch workshop will create an opportunity for stakeholders to be fully clarified about their roles in Project planning and financing. At the beginning of the launch the Governor would among other things sign the MOU before the technical session of the launch kicks off.

Expected at the State Launch workshop and MOU signing ceremony are Mrs. L.D Bagaiya, Director International Cooperation Department of the National Planning Commission and Mr. Ramon Maria Reigada Granda, the Head of Rural and Social Development Unit of the Delegation of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria. Others are Ms. Maryam Abdu, the Project Officer, Rural and Social Development (EU Delegation) and Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar, MPP9 Desk Officer (NPC).