Nigeria

UNDP begins scheme to tackle poverty, conflicts in Niger Delta

A direct intervention scheme is to be started in the Niger Delta by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Scheduled to end in 2009, a total of $13.5 million from the global agency has been budgeted for the Nigerian project, which also has Bayelsa State as the first site for a pilot scheme.

To be implemented in two local councils, Sagbama and Ogbia, the UNDP Local Development Programme (LDP) is being touted as a direct intervention project for the people of the Niger Delta.

At the Abuja signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the take-off of the scheme in Bayelsa State, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Albaric Kacou, said the LDP's berthing in Nigeria would go hand-in-hand with the development of Millennium Villages planned to improve the living standards of the people, create more jobs and make the communities self-reliant.

His words: "It does these 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 work out needs specific development processes.

"The experience of the UN with the LDP strategy shows that it leads to improved effectiveness, responsiveness and accountability of local governance institutions."

Key issues that the project would address include:

* Promoting local dialogue, regular interaction and better communication between local communities, the state, local councils, civil society and the private sector;

* Improving policy, legal and regulatory framework for local development;

* Piloting an inclusive, transparent and pragmatic procedure for local participatory planning;

* Establishing a Local Development Fund (LDF) to support investments in public infrastructure and social services;

* Enhancing institutional capacity to respond to local needs and capability of local actors to plan, finance, implement and manage public infrastructure and services; and

* Establishing a system for both institutional and participatory monitoring and evaluation of investments, including poverty reduction indicators related to the Millennium Development Goals.

Signing the MoU, Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, assured the UNDP that all obligations undertaken by the state would be fulfilled.

"I am happy that the UNDP is taking a bold step to assist with development in the Niger Delta. 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 said.

From Oghogho Obayuwana, Abuja