MPP9: EU Plans N9.2bn Projects In N’Delta

The Micro Project Programme 9 (MPP9) of the European Union (EU) for the nine states in the Niger Delta is to gulp the sum of N9.2 billion.
The Head of Delegation of the European Commission in Nigeria, Mr Ramon Maria Reigada Granda who said this during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rivers State Government said that the programme would be implemented in the nine states of the Niger Delta to support better governance and to contribute to the eradication of poverty in the region.
Mr Granda further said that the programme is being managed by the National Planning Commission in partnership with the European Commission delegation in Nigeria.
He emphasized that the present MPP9 programme is an extension of the MPP3 and MPP6 programmes stressing that while the MPP3 which covers Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states ended in September 2006, that of MPP6 which covers Cross River, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Imo, Edo and Ondo states ended in May, 2008.
The head of delegation also said that the commission executed 279 micro projects in Rivers State at the cost of N830 million in the areas of income generating activities, water, education, access paths, jetties, transport and health.
In his words, “the aim of the programme is to encourage reforms and community participation and to invite local government and state authorities to provide more service delivery in terms of basic infrastructure.
“Also to facilitate the creation of income generating activities, promote gender equity and community empowerment.”
In his address, the Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsudeen Usman said that the programme is targeted at poverty reduction in the rural and sub-urban communities in the nine Niger Delta States, through the promotion of gender equality and participation in local governance and development as well as promote transparency and accountability in local government administration.
The minister who was represented by Abraham Taiwo, an assistant director in the commission also said that the programme would provide access to basic facilities in health, education, water supply and sanitation and roads.
The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi signed on behalf of the Rivers State Government.