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River Government, European Union to partner on rural transformation

By on April 5, 2013

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says his administration will continue to partner with the European Union (EU) in its efforts at transforming the living standards of the rural poor and the less privileged in the society.

Governor Amaechi said this Thursday during the launching of the Micro Projects Programme in the nine Niger Delta States (MPP9). The event held at the Rivers State House of Assembly Auditorium in Port Harcourt.

Represented by his Deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, the Governor stated that MPP9 will fast-track development at the grassroots. He described the projects as “community based,” assuring the EU of his administration’s support.

Ameachi stressed on the need for standards to be maintained in the execution of projects, calling on the chairmen of the 13 affected local government areas and community leaders to cooperate with the EU to deliver on the stated project. “Let not your actions hinder development to your communities”, he warned..

A statement by Godswill Jumbo, acting Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor quoted the Governor as saying that, “The Rivers State Government will render its total commitment to the entire programme (MPP9). The partnership between the EU and Niger Delta States is enjoyable because we know that whatever projects executed in the region is like helping the whole world.”

In his address, the Minister of National Planning and Vice Chairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, represented by the Executive Secretary of NPC, Mr. Fidel Ugbo, emphasized on the need for quality assurance on the projects in line with the aspirations and expectations of the States involved, commending the MPP9 for contributions to the development of the Niger Delta region, noting that MPP9 “is a EU-Federal Government intervention programme in the Niger Delta States”.

In his speech, EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. David Mac Rae, remarked that the “MPP9 are community-based projects”, aimed at transforming the rural areas, stating that the EU will continue to render development, stressing on the need for stronger ties with development partners for enhance rural transformation.

Also speaking, the Team Leader, MPP9, Mr. Alex Talmon L-armee, enumerated projects executed by MPP9 in the State in areas of Education, Agriculture, Water, among others, calling for collaboration with stakeholders at the grassroots levels, also thanking the State Government for providing the enabling environment for the successful execution of these projects.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Gogo Levi Charles, noted that the first phase of the MPP9 scheme has a total of 100 projects that cover 13 LGA’s of the State, adding that the projects would be extended to another 10 LGAs in the second phase of the scheme, lauding the EU for its development strategy aimed at transforming rural communities.

One Comment

  1. Ambrose

    April 6, 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Eu -Nigeria relations is spirited effort to alleviate poverty and improve capacity building in Nigeria . I hope Mpp9 will deliver to the letters and spirits of the projects in line with desired expection