The Minister/Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman has on Monday, 30th April, 2012 witnessed the ceremonial flag off of the EU funded intervention programme earmarked for nine Delta states in Nigeria.

The flag off event took place at the Conference Room of the Governor’s Office in Akure, Ondo State Capital and was performed by the State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko.

Some micro projects and programmes tagged MPP9, under European Union intervention programme have been earmarked for the nine States of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.

The MPP9 EU- FG programme is aimed at reducing poverty in the rural and sub- urban communities in the region, through the promotion of gender equality and participation in local governance and development.

MAY 2, 2012 BY AGENCY REPORTER

The Minister for National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, has adjudged Ondo State as the pacesetter in terms of community development in the nation.

Also, the European Union envoy in Nigeria, Ambassador David MacRae, said Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s success story in community development would be adopted by his home country.

They spoke at the inauguration of the Micro Projects Programme held at the Governor’s office.

Mimiko said on the occasion that his administration had spent over N3bn to execute 425 projects in the various communities of the state in the last three years with over 300 of such projects completed.

The MPP9 is an EU-FG intervention programme covering the nine Niger Delta states. The nine states are Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

The programme is aimed at reducing poverty in the rural and sub-urban communities in the region.

Usman in his address on the occasion said steps taken by Mimiko in community development was commendable, describing his approach as standard.

Source site: http://www.punchng.com/news/minister-envoy-applaud-community-development-in-ondo/

Address presented by Ambassador David MacRae

Head of Delegation

Delegation of the European Union to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,

at the launch of the MPP9 Works Implementation in Ondo State

On 30^th April, 2012.

Your Excellency, The Governor of Ondo State Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.

Honourable Minister, National Planning Commission, Dr Shamsuddeen Usman,

Members of the Ondo State Cabinet,

Members of the Press,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocol observed

I am very pleased to be here, today, for this event which marks the kick off of the works implementation of the Micro-Projects Programme (MPP9) in Ondo State.

The main purpose of the MPP9 is to contribute to reduced poverty of rural and peri-urban communities in Ondo State and the other eight Niger Delta States, through the promotion of participatory and gender equitable local development governance and improved soci0-economic development. This will contribute to strengthening peace and stability in the Niger Delta and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

The MPP9 Programme is funded by a grant of about 9.2 Billion Naira from the 9^th European Development Fund and represents a continuation and expansion of earlier EU micro-project interventions in the Niger Delta such as MPP3 and MPP6.