The MPP9 programme was officially kicked off on the 18th of June, 2009 in Calabar, Cross River State. The programme was introduced to the Cross River State Governor – Mr Liyel Imoke unbehalf of the Governors of the Niger Delta.Dignitaries at the occasion were Minister of National Planning and National Authorising Officer - Dr Shamsudeen Usman, Mr Denis Thieulin the acting head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Nigeria. Others include Mr A. A. Taiwo and Mr Ibrahim Abubakar of National Planning Commission, and Dr Maryam Abdu of the EC Delegation, Mrs Margareth Hammer – MPP9 Team Leader and Mr Leif Nilsson – MPP9 PMU Finance & Contract Expert.

Also present were the Cross River State Executive Council members, some Local Government Chairman, representatives of Etung LGA and members of the civil society groups. The National Authorising Officer explained the implementation of the MPP9 programme and the role of all stakeholders to the success of the programme. Responding, the Governor – Mr Liyel  Imoke expressed gratitude to the EU for the MPP9 programme while stating the State was development friendly.  High point of the occasion was the signing of MoU between the National Authorising Officer and the Governor.