The European Union (EU) has announced plans to spend a total of N10 billion on two key development programmes in the Niger Delta.
They are the Micro Project Programme (MPP9) and the Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP). They will be done in the coming months.
This was unveiled by the European ambassador to Nigeria, David MacRae, at the Rivers State House of Assembly complex during the formal launching of the implementation of MPP9.
According to MacRae, the projects are funded from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), and are in direct pursuit of interventions identified under the MPP9 Programme. NDSP will implement 82 additional micro projects in the state.
Speaking specifically on MPP9, MacRae said 100 micro projects for Rivers State would cover the construction of 28 water projects, 25 educational blocks, 25 civic centres, 17 mixed (open and lock-up) markets, and five agro-processing mills (cassava and palm oil), totaling about N500 million.
He commended Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State governor, and local councils for their commitment in the success recorded in the MPP3 and MPP6 in their various areas, pointing out that the EU would continue to partner with the Niger Delta region on development projects.
According to him, “We believe that the region matters in many respects, not least in the stability but also for the prosperity of the nation as a whole”.
Continuing, he said, “The progress towards good governance and democracy is very encouraging and we hope that working with the state and local councils will continue far into the future bringing along with it actual benefits, growth and development in all ramifications to all the stake holders”.
SABY ELEMBA, Port Harcourt
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