Abia State Government has reaffirmed its resolve and determination to ensure the realization of its Cardinal Policy Pillars with their Enablers by collaborating with any organization whose vision/mission tilt towards same directions.
Receiving a high-powered Representatives of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND Foundation) and other international development partners including the European Union Niger Delta Support Programme 4 on a courtesy visit at the Government House ,Umuahia, the State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu pointed out that from onset his administration set out five cardinal policy pillars for Abia, which it has followed tenaciously.
Governor Ikpeazu commended the European Union for their intervention programmes through the establishment of meaningful projects in the State and assured that his government will continue to support and partner them by taking ownership ,protecting and sustaining all their projects in order to realize their objectives for mutual benefit.
The Governor ,represented by his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, reaffirmed government resolve and determination to ensure the realization of its Cardinal Policy Pillars with their Enablers by collaborating with them in terms of signing Memorandum Of Understanding and Legislative Bills that will take the State to greater height.
He thanked the delegation for the award and honour bestowed on him and used the forum to applaud the efforts of the European Union, the Niger Delta and other International bodies in ensuring increase in capacity building, job creation,reduction of drug abuse and appealed for other initiatives and interventions.
He equally lauded the State representatives in the competition for making the state proud through their excellent and wonderful performance that made them beat other States to emerge the best.
In their remarks, the PIND Partnership and Engagement Manager in the Niger Delta, Mr Chime Asonye and the State Focal person, Mr Sam Hart,said they came to inform the governor that the State emerged first in a competition held at Port Harcourt,Rivers State and stressed that PIND’s support will assist the state to develop a long-term vision to enable them leverage their areas of comparative advantage in delivering inclusive governance and sustainability to citizens.
Asonye said,”Representatives of the PIND Foundation and other international development partners,including the European Union Niger Delta Support Programme 4, came to congratulate the government for coming first at the State Pitch Development Plan Competition at the 2018 Niger Delta Development Forum (NDDF)”.
Asonye, PIND’s Partnership and Engagement Manager who led the delegation disclosed that, “PIND’s support will help Abia to develop a long-term strategic vision to enable them leverage their areas of competitiveness in delivering inclusive governance and sustainability to their people.
According to him, a process will be facilitated through the provision of technical, organizational, strategic support and leadership to enable the plan be created through a participatory process incorporates all key sectors
“Additionally, a high level team comprising relevant state Ministries, Department and Agencies, MDAs, civil society, development partners and professional groups will be assembled to help provide input and expertise to the exercise”, he buttressed his point.
Similarly, the EU Project Evaluation Team Leader, Cecile Collins disclosed that they are in charge of independent evaluation of EU Projects in the Niger Delta region and have been studying specific and relative intervention programmes in the State with the view of focusing on the results and effects of their intervention programmes in the State.
Recall that Abia emerged the best in technical support for the development of long-term strategic plans in the 2019 State Pitch Development Plan Competition in the 2018 Niger Delta Development Forum(NDDF) held in Port Harcourt for the Eastern zone.
By Charles Ogbonnaya
National Ambassador
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