Nigeria, EU sign N18 billion financing agreements

The EU contribution will also assist Nigeria to achieve its developmental goals.

The European Union, EU, on Tuesday, signed 89 million euro (about N18 billion) financial agreements with the Federal Government to support the country’s health, water programmes and economic growth.

The Chairman of National Planning Commission, NPC, Shamsuddeen Usman, signed the three financing agreements on behalf of the federal government; while David MacRae, the Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria, signed on behalf of the Union in Abuja.

Mr. Usman, who was represented by the NPC Secretary, Fidelis Ugbo, said the agreements would help to expedite action toward implementing the programmes.

He said that the water supply and sanitation sector reforms was conceived to contribute to poverty reduction, sustainable development and the achievement of the water and sanitation related Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, in Adamawa, Ekiti, and Plateau States.

The minister added that the total budget for the programme was 52 million euros and that the European Development Fund’s, EDF, contribution toward its implementation was 40 million euros.

He said that the maternal and newborn health programme was designed to significantly improve the health status of women and children through improved and sustainable primary health care delivery system in Adamawa and Kebbi States.

According to him, the total budget for the programme is 33 million euros and the EDF’s contribution to the programme is 30 million euros.

“The Nigeria competitiveness support programme will support the country in trade and investment competition through development of process, procedures and stronger capacity of relevant institutions in Nigeria,” he said.

Mr. Usman said that the total budget for the programme was 230 million euros and that the EDF’s contribution to the programme was 19 million euros.

“By authorising the three financing agreements today, the EU contribution stands at 89 million euros. In this regard, Nigeria will be on the right track to making considerable progress in the achievement of the MDGs,’’ he said.

The minister said the EU contribution would also assist Nigeria to achieve its developmental goals as enshrined in the country’s Vision 20:20202 and the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

In his remarks, Mr. MacRae said the EU would contribute 89 million euros from the EDF to assist in the development of water supply, improved access to health and foster economic growth in Nigeria.

The Federal Government had in November 2009, signed the 10th EDF Country Strategy Paper-National Indicative Programme with EU for the implementation of 17 indicative programmes in the country.

(NAN)