The European Union (EU) has unfolded plans to commence a fresh round of intervention projects, estimated to cost $48 million (N8 billion) in the six Niger Delta states.

The projects, which are of micro profile, are coming on the heels of the recently executed N7 billion intervention efforts, tagged MPP6 in the region. The fresh intervention, planned to commence next August is tagged MPP9.

Funded by the EU, the programme will work with federal, state, and local governments to build on the MPP6 experience, using existing resources to reach more communities. Charge d' affaires of the European Commission Delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Denis Thieulin, who spoke at the closing ceremony for the MPP6 projects in Calabar at the weekend, stressed that MPP9 has a budget of 48 million euros (about 8 billion naira).

The EU also at the weekend commissioned motor vehicles, cold room and solar refrigerators Cross River state. The facilities, expected to boost immunisation programme in the state, is valued at N209 million. Speaking on the new programme, the Minister /Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Senator Sanusi Daggash stressed that the having received the approval of the Federal Government and the EU, the programme would commence in August or September in the nine Niger Delta states.

Represented by the Deputy Director (Multilateral), Mr. Bassey Okon Akpanyung, the minister was optimistic that the programme would build on the successes recorded by the MPP6. He added, " the local government authorities will be expected to play an important role this time around which was not the case in the out-going programme. There is an increasing urgency to forge a closer intervention and interaction between the local governments and the communities thereby ensuring that the dividends of democracy are deep rooted in the communities and internalised.

Speaking later at the commissioning of the facilities for immunisation programme in Calabar, Thieulin stressed that the European Union-Partnership to Reinforce Immunisation Efficiency (EU-PRIME) project had been supporting immunisation in Cross River State since June 2004.

According to him, "the programme has provided extensive training for more that 3, 000 health workers and managers of immunisation at local government and state level. EU-PRIME has also previously commissioned a 60KVA power generator, four speed boats and ninety motorcycles to support the delivery of a sustainable quality immunisation service in Cross River State."

He added: "EU-PRIME is a 8.5 year project. The goal of the programme is to reduce the burden of vaccine preventable diseases including polio in Nigeria. The purpose of the project is ensuring that safe and efficient vaccination services are permanently available in selected communities in the 23 states.

In preparation for the conclusion of the EU-PIME support to Cross River State later in 2008, the state and local governments are expected to continue and expand their support for immunisation and primary health care to ensure that the gains from EU PRIME project are sustained.

Source: Guardian