Mkpoikana Udoma 03 September 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has approved the immediate release of N100 million as the second tranche counterpart fund for the Rivers State Government/European Union Niger Delta Support Programme for two local government areas.
The State Government had earlier released the first tranche of counterpart fund of N100million to the EU Development Partners earlier this year.
The two benefiting local government areas are Akuku-Toru and Opobo/Nkoro.
Speaking during a visit by the Minister Counsellor of the European Union to Nigeria, Mr Kurt Cornelis, to the Government House, Governor Wike said that for the State Government to have paid the first tranche of 50 percent, proved its commitment to the project.
The governor urged the implementers of the Niger Delta Support Programme to be transparent as they award contracts for the projects.
He said: “I have given the authority that by tomorrow the second tranche of N100million be paid. Be assured that whatever needs to be done , would be done.
“I commend the EU for this programme. We will never be a state that will be backwards in water and sanitation projects.
“Water and sanitation remain key because they are close to the health of our communities. After this project, we expect the EU to give the state more grants, so that we can extend this to more local government areas,” Wike said.
Earlier, the Minister Counselor of the European Union to Nigeria, Mr Kurt Cornelis, called for firm commitment from the State Government on the payment of the remaining 50 percent counterpart fund for the RSG/EU NDSP Water and sanitation projects in the two local governments.
Cornelis said the payment was required to determine the scope of the programme.
He said that contracts for the programme would be signed on October 26, 2017.
