MPP9 was officially launched in Delta State on the 13^th of May 2010 by the Deputy Governor of Delta State His Excellency Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) who stood in for the Governor Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan.

The occasion was graced by the Executive secretary, National Planning Commission Prof .S. Monye, Mrs. L.D. Bagaiya represented by Mr. Ikem and Mr Ibrahim Abubakar all of National Planning Commission, Dr. Maryam Abdu of EC Delegation Abuja and Mrs. Margeret Hammer, MPP9 Team Leader. Several other dignitaries who were in attendance included some members of the Delta State Executive Council, Representatives of LGA Chairmen, Councilors, top Civil Servants, Community Leaders and members of Civil Society Groups.

The MPP9 Team Leader in her welcome speech, talked about the  MPP9 as  a new model based on the experiences of MPP3 and MPP6 which encourages development through partnership between the communities and the Local Government Councils. She prayed that all stakeholders will be open to embrace the new approach with the advantages it offers for community development.

Prof .  S. Monye of the the NPC stated that government’s initiatives alone are not enough to address poverty.  MPP9 is designed to further assists states to reduce poverty and youth restiveness as well as support in the improvement of Local Governments and called on all stakeholders to work towards the success of the programme.  Dr M. Abdu of EU enumerated the objectives and end results of MPP9 as being increased empowerment of community members to request for their rights and the commitment to improve the democratization process.  She also informed stakeholders that over 1600 micro projects applications have been received from communities in the 9 Niger Delta States and are being processed   and expressed the desire that the political commitment expressed at the state launch will help accomplish goals of a better Niger Delta.

The Delta State Governor in response to the speeches, asserted that the programme was timely and in tune with the state’s 3 point agenda of Infrastructural Development, Human Capital Development and Security.  He further said that the MPP9 if properly executed will be a veritable tool in the economic empowerment of the Niger Delta people and pledged the state`s commitment to give MPP9 all the necessary support for its success.

A technical session was held during the program launch and presented by the State Team Leader, Mrs. Monica Emosairue on The Roles and Responsibilities of  Stakeholders of the MPP9 program, also on Gender Mainstreaming. Thereafter, a question and answer session where participants got clarification on a wide range of issues.