This commendation was given by the IFAD Country Office Representative in Nigeria, Mrs Dede Ahoefa Ekoue, at the launch in Port Harcourt, for the participation of Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers states in the LIFE-ND project by Niger Delta Developqment Commission (NDDC).
“LIFE-ND is one of the best performing IFAD projects.
“It’s mainly an outstanding project in Nigeria, West Africa and Central Africa,” she said.
Ekoue commended the diligence of the management and staff in accomplishing this feat.
She rated the fiduciary astuteness and fidelity in financial transparency and compliance in managing funds as very high.
“We’ll not be standing together here celebrating the success, progress and impact if LIFE-ND had not worked very hard to achieve fiduciary compliance and transparency in managing funds that have been trusted to this project.
“LIFE-ND is globally recognised as a project that is compliant to financial transparency; it’s very important to have value for money.
“We want that culture to continue and we want to celebrate all the actors that helped us achieve this important result,” she noted.
Premised on the success of the project and its financial compliance, Ekoue revealed that the project would be extended to continue to provide jobs, generate more income and sustainable food security to the Niger Delta region.
“Because they’ve achieved this financial compliance, we’re are very proud to stand with you today to say that we’re looking forward to extending this programme,” she promised.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, equally stressed on the tremendous achievements of LIFE-ND, both in managerial prudence and financial accountability.
The minister, represented by Director, Project Coordinating Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Peter Kush Kukwi, assured NDDC of the reliability of the project.
“I want to assure NDDC that LIFE-ND will not fail you,” he said.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, revealed that the Commission had committed 2.5 million dollars (N142.96 billion) for the participation of the three states.
He said that the Commission would be injecting into the LIFE-ND project, 30 million US dollars, (N30 billion), which would be paid in piecemeal to empower youths and women of the region on agribusinesses, employment and food security.
“We are using this launch to reaffirm our commitment to economically empower our youths and women to build businesses that uplift their future, families and communities,” he said.
The LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Dr Sanni Abiodun, commended the NDDC Managing Director for his commitment to enhancing the abundant opportunities of the Niger Delta region through the counterpart funding.
He said that the project currently has the outreach of more than 25,500 direct beneficiaries in the region who are currently agro-entrepreneurial and employers of labour.
Benson is the Knowledge Management and Communication Officer for Abia LIFE-ND.
