Nigeria

UNDP Strengthens Development in Bayelsa State

A collaboration of efforts to promote development in Bayelsa State has been inaugurated following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the UNDP and the state government on Thursday, February 14, 2008 on the Local Development Programme and the Youth Empowerment Programme.

Left to right, UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Albéric Kacou and His Excellency, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva.

The signing ceremony which held at the Bayelsa State Lodge in Abuja was performed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Timipre Sylva and the UNDP Resident Representative, Dr Albéric Kacou.

Kacou emphasised the need for partnership to strengthen local development projects and local governance in the state, empowering the youth towards productivity and sustainability, and capacity building. He added that “UNDP is committing a total of $13.5 million to the Local Development Programme pilot in the Niger Delta, of which Bayelsa is one of the two pilot states. The programmes operate, with inputs from the state and two selected LGAs, while 700 youths in the state will be trained under the Youth Empowerment Programme within 2 years, in skills acquisition for economic development.”

“The experience of the UN with the LDP strategy is highly innovative in its approach and shows that it leads to improved effectiveness, responsiveness and accountability of local governance institutions,” Kacou said.

In reiterating the importance of rural development and partnerships, Governor Sylva said it was satisfying that the UNDP had taken the bold initiative to assist in the transformation of local communities in the state and strengthening the capacity of the youths. He added that "as a people, we have always asked for co-operation as is being offered by the UNDP. We are mindful of our obligations as relates to the programme". He assured that the state would make its counterpart funding available promptly.

The Local Development Programme will be implemented in the Sagbama and Ogbia LGAs of Bayelsa State.

The LDP is designed to utilise a decentralised and local governance approach for effective and sustainable poverty reduction as well as conflict prevention and recovery. It does this by building on existing institutions of local governments and communities to promote integrated local development processes. This model deliberately engages the participation of the largely marginalised groups such as women, youths and persons living with HIV/AIDs, to workout needs specific development processes. The experience of the UN with the LDP strategy, which is highly innovative in its approach shows that it leads to improved effectiveness, responsiveness and accountability of local governance institutions.

Among the key issues of the LDP are promoting local dialogue, regular interaction and better communication between local communities, the State, LGAs, civil society and the private sector; and improving the policy, legal and regulatory framework for local development.