A’Ibom to get 108 projects from EU

Four Local Government Areas drawn from the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State are to benefit from more than 108 projects to be executed by the European Union, EU, Niger Delta Support Programmes in 2015.
State Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Ante Okwong, disclosed this while interacting with the four council chairmen in Uyo at the weekend.
Okwong, who was represented by the Director of Administration in the ministry, Mrs. Ekanem Attah, said that projects would be executed in Essien Udim, Ibiono Ibom, ONNA and Urueoffong Oruko local government areas.
He explained that the EU has planned to execute about 800 projects in nine Niger Delta States of the Federation, with 108 of the projects sited at Akwa Ibom.
He reaffirmed the commitment of government to attract development to the state to enhance the living standard of the people at the grassroots.
“The overall objective of the European Union Niger Delta Support programmes is to bring development to the local communities.
“The European Union is expected to provide 75 per cent of the fund while the Local Government Areas is to provide 25 per cent counterpart funding. “ The commissioner said.
The commissioner said that the communities, which the projects would be sited, have to provide land, security and monitor the projects against vandals.
He disclosed that the meeting was to discuss the modalities of selecting the projects and communities that would benefit from the scheme.
Responding, the Chairman of ONNA local council, Mr. Ufot Akpan, said the project would go a long way to impact positively on the people and reduce the rate of youth unemployment in the state.
He assured that the local government areas involved would pay their counterpart funding promptly.
He commended the state government and European Union for initiating the projects and promised that the local government would support the programme to succeed.