The MOU signing ceremony between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Akwa Ibom State Government took place on the 2^nd of February 2010 at the Eemjm Hotels, Uyo. The double event attracted a lot of dignitaries from all works of life, The executive members, legislators, the LGAs, the CSOs and the community leaders and their community members, members of the press. Over 120 people were present at this ceremony.

Dignitaries from the Akwa Ibom State government include the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government and chieftaincy affairs, Honorable Paul Ekpo; who represented the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Dr. Godswill Akpabio; Barrister Godswill Umoh, Commissioner for Economic Development; Deaconess Ekpoatai, Onna Local Government Chairman; Elder Joshua Eyo Asuquo, Nsit Ibom Local Government Chairman. From the National Planning Commission, Mr. A. A. Taiwo, Assistant Director, International Cooperation Department, represented the Honorable Minister for National Planning Commission; Mr. Ibrahim Abubakar, the desk officer MPP9 at the NPC. From the Delegation of the European Commission, Dr. Maryam Abdu, Project Officer, Rural and Social Development who represented Head of Section, Rural and Social Development, Water and Sanitation, Mr.Ramon-Maria Reigada-Granda. From the PMU, Mrs Margeret Hammer, The Team Leader of the MPP9, Mr. Fred Minaret, The Rural Infrastructure Engineer were present at the ceremony.

In her welcome address, the Team Leader Mrs. Margeret Hammer explained that MPP9 is a new model based on experiences of the MPP3 and MPP6 which encourages development through partnership between the communities and their Local Government Councils. She prayed that all stakeholders would be open to embrace this new approach with the advantage it offers for community development.

In the address of the Honorable Minister for the National Planning Commission delivered by Mr. A. A. Taiwo, said the Micro Projects Programme is aimed at achieving among other things; provision of more access to basic facilities on health, education, water supply and sanitation, access roads, awareness of creation on critical issues on gender, HIV/AIDS, environment, conflict and human rights, transparency and accountability in Local Government Administration.

According to the Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Nigeria, Mr. Ramon Granda, represented by Dr. Maryam Abdu, the size of the projects will be increased compared to the previous Micro Projects Programme from an average of 3 million to 8 million Naira Micro Projects will be financed in each state. The final result should bring about an increased empowerment of community members. This should result in the reduction of intra and inter community conflicts and tension. He reiterated the fact that the work at the community level was the base of the success of the previous programme.

In his remarks before signing the MOU, The State Governor Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Hon. Paul Ekpo, said, although the state is implementing a free education programme, free health care policy and building infrastructures to improve the peoples’ quality of life, the current global economic crisis has led to a drop in revenue to the state, a situation which he said called for partnership with donor agencies such as the EU-MPP9 to sustain development, empower the people and reduce poverty.

At the STATE LAUNCH WORKSHOP, the State Team Leader, Mrs. Imoh Ekott presented a paper on MPP9, roles and responsibilities of stakeholders while Mrs. Margeret Hammer, the PMU Team Leader presented a paper on Gender Mainstreaming.