FG seals $1.29bn development pact with UN

The Federal Government on Friday sealed a $1.29bn development assistance pact with the United Nations to support good governance, social capital, economic growth and human security in all the states of the federation.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, Minister of National Planning Commission, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, said with its implementation period expected to begin from 2014 to 2017, each states of the federation, including agencies would benefit according to their level of counterpart funding.
Sulaiman also inaugurated the UNDAF Action Plan Steering Committee and described the intervention as part of the UN’s commitment to work harmoniously with the country.

He said the framework would ensure that development assistance translates into higher impact and enhanced effectiveness for both the government and Nigerians.


The framework, he noted, would also assist in stemming the duplication of activities and reduce costs on government and the UN system.

Sulaiman further stated that the four areas of the UNDAF III in which the funds would be administered related to the core elements of government’s intervention as it is consistent with the resolve to deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

He noted that the steering committee had become inevitable in order to ensure adherence of all UN interventions to national priorities.

The committee is to guarantee effective consultations among relevant stakeholders and engage in high level advocacy at both the national and sub- national levels.

The Resident Coordinator, UN System in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure said it would basically assist in rendering technical assistance where needed and close existing funding gap which the counterpart facility is unable to cover.

He also said the framework would be flexible, allowing for amendments in line with emerging needs and challenges.

He said 60 per cent of the fund would be deployed to social capital development while good governance would gulp 18 per cent.

He said equitable and sustainable economic growth would receive 13 per cent of the total fund while human security and risk management would attract nine per cent of the vote.