Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed has inaugurated the members of Project Steering Committee for the European Union Assisted Project on Support to Strengthening Resilience in the North East, Borno and Adamawa
The Project which is being funded by the European Union (EU) and the German Economic Cooperation and Development (GIZ), has the overall objective of contributing to the stabilization of the North-east Nigeria through strengthening the resilience of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), host communities, returning refugees and the local population affected by insurgency
The Minister explained that, the project which is to be executed for a period of 48 months has a total financial allocation of €54.5 million, with the EU contributing €37.0 million, while the German Government through the Ministry of Cooperation and Development accounts for €17.5million. GIZ is also an EU implementing agency, having signed a contribution agreement with the EU.
According the Minister, who was represented by the Director International Cooperation, Mr. Samuel Eloho, ‘the project has two components with the basic component having two specific objectives of reinforcing the resilience of IDPs and strengthening the capacities of host communities to continue to offer hospitality to IDPs’
She noted that the Boko Haram insurgents’ activities in the region have caused untold hardship to millions of people, destroying their means of livelihood and economic and social infrastructure. Over 14 million people are affected with 1.8 million internally displaced persons to cater for in the three most affected states. The situation, she added has become more dynamic with returning refugees upon the decimation of the insurgents militarily,
Describing the pathetic situation, Mrs Ahmed said “the situation is such that there are millions to cater for their basic Needs in terms of food, clothing, shelter and health as well as education. Basic social and economic infrastructure need to be put in place. Children drafted by insurgents into their folds have to be deradicalised. Overall, the humanitarian needs of millions of people have to be met and the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the region have to be undertaken to restore life to normalcy”
Members of the Steering Committee comprises, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, which is the National Authorising Office (NOA) as Chair, others include; the Government of Borno and Adamawa States, Federal Ministries of Health, Women Affairs and Social Development; and Youth Development.
Others are Presidential Committee on North East Initiatives (PCNI), Operation Lafiya Dole (OLD), and the Project Team comprising GIZ, EU and Ministry of Budget and National Planning
The Project STEERING Committee has responsibility for the overall direction of the project and approval of the work plans as well as assesses progress in implementation
The Minister expressed appreciation of the federal government to the numerous supports of the EU to address the Humanitarian situation and also from its regular and special windows, and assured that the Federal Government is committed to speedy return of life to normalcy in the region and is leaving no stone unturned in this direction.
Salisu B. Haiba
Assistant Director (Press)
