It was a double for Edo State as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and the State Launch workshop was held on the 10^th of February 2010. The occasion was agog with dignitaries from the State Government, the Local Government and the civil society organizations, the event was very well attended. In attendance from the Edo State Government were Hon. Parry Eriase, The Secretary to Edo State Government, who represented the Governor, Comrade Adams Alihu Oshiomole. Barrister T. E. Ulinfoh, Permanent Secretary Government House. Pharm (Mrs) L. A. Iwu, Permanent Secretary State Planning Commission. Mr. Odigie, Director, Donor Agencies Coordination, State Planning Commission. The Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Hon. Osa Edekel. From the National Planning Commission, Mr. A. A. Taiwo, the Deputy Director of International Cooperation, represented the Honourable Minister of National Planning Commission.

In the speech by the Honourable Minister of National Planning Commission read by Mr. A. A. Taiwo, the Honourable Minister explained the relevance of MPP9 projects to the needs of the communities, Edo and the Niger Delta in particular and the involvement of the LGAs and communities in co-funding of the projects to the tune of 25%. He expressed the hope that like the previous programme MPP6, that benefitted about 280 rural communities, the MPP9 will empower at least 70,000 rural dwellers and respond to infrastructural needs of about 123 communities.

Responding, the Governor, in the speech read by Honourable Parry Eriase appreciates the efforts of the Federal Government and the European Union and expressed Edo State Government’s commitment to human capital and infrastructural development in the State and promised that Edo State Government will ensure the implementation of the MPP9 according to the MOU.

The representative of the minister Mr. A. A. Taiwo and the representative of the Edo State Governor, Honourable Parry Eriase, The Secretary to the Edo State Government,  signed the MOU on behalf of the Edo State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Shortly after the MOU signing, the representative of the Governor, Honorable Parry Eriase led other dignitaries to cut the cake to flag off the MPP9 programme at the State Launch workshop at the same venue.