Team from EU Delegation visits Etung Local Government Area

Date: 1^st of November 2011

Three representatives of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria visited Etung Local Government and the Etung MPP9 Pilot Programme. The visitors from the EU Delegation were: the Head of the Social Sector, Community Development and Micro Projects, Klaus Gautsch, the Desk Officer of the Micro Projects Programme in nine Niger Delta States, Yakubu Ogwuche and the Programme officer of the new Niger Delta Support Programme, Temitayo Omole. The main aim of the visit to Etung was to get direct field information on the progress of Etung Pilot Programme. Highlights of the visit were:

The executive chairman of Etung Local Government emphasized in his welcome address the need for progress in Etung Local Government to improve on the livelihood of the population. By focusing efforts for a good cooperation with the European Development Fund, Etung Local Government has succeeded to finalize the implementation of 33 income generating projects and two additional MPP9 projects fulfilling its 30 percent projects value contribution to the programme. This visit documents that EU delegation responds to the concerns of Etung Local Government and its communities to implement the projects mentioned and agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding between EDF and Etung LGA. The confidence that the 56 planned projects will be implemented has increased with the information on accelerated proceedings for a tender relaunch.

Klaus Gautsch, the Head of Social Section, Community Development and Micro Projects confirmed the efforts for accelerated solutions. To personally see the project implementation through the Etung Local Government is a very important source for authentic information on the MPP9 Pilot Programme. He also informed on the new Niger Delta Support Programme which will be financed from the tenth EDF. The Agreement is currently prepared and will be signed early 2012. This means MPP9 and the Niger Delta Support Programme will be executed parallel during a onsiderable period of time. MPP9 and NDSP will be treated, however as different programmes even though lessons learnt from MPP3, MPP6 and from MPP9 will guide the design of NDSP. The visit to Etung also is organized with the hope to obtain direct information and impressions for supporting the process of EDF 10 programme formulations.,

A cross section of the MPP9 projects implemented by Etung Local Government as contracting authority were then visited: the Etung Central Market, Commodity ware houses in Effraya, Ajassor and Etomi and several food processing mills. At Agboking Water Falls the Local Government executives explained plans for developing the site to a tourist resort. Also the visitors were shown a local government promoted road project, where the importance of access roads to rural production areas was discussed. Roads are a crucial development promoter in Etung where huge quantities of agricultural products will be accessible and marketable through access and feeder roads.

A highlight of the field visit was the short crossing of the hanging bridge between Nigeria and Cameroun at Mfum; the officers for customs and immigration on both sides of the border gave their special permission. The visit ended with a round up meeting in Heritage Hotel.

The official meeting of the EU visitors with the Etung Local Government was attended by the following persons:

European Union Delegation:

Klaus Gautsch, Head of Social Sector, Community Development, Micro Projects

Yakubu Ogwuche, EU Delegation MPP9 Desk Officer

Temitayo Omole, Project Officer Social Sector, Desk Officer  Niger Delta Support Programme

Etung Local Government:

Cross River State Government : Lukpata Ogar, MPP9 Desk officer IDS office

Community Development Foundation (CDF):

Akintola Akinyemi, Director of CDF

Essang Demben, CDF representative in Etung Pilot Programme

Etung Pilot Programme Local Management Unit:

Dr. Peter Ay, LMU Team Leader

Mohammed Yakasai, LMU Finance and Contract adviser

Uzoma F. Uhegbu, LMU Rural Infrastructure Engineer

Staff met at the Etung Pilot Programme Local Management Unit Office:

Aim of the visit was to obtain an impression on the progress of MPP9 projects implementation representing 30 percent of MPP9 Micro Projects value in Etung. This is the LGA counterpart contribution to the Etung Pilot Programme. The picture shows in the centre front Klaus Gautsch (Head of EU Delegation to Nigeria Social Sector) talking to Hon.Etim John (Executive Chairman of Etung LGA). From left to riht: Dr. Peter Ay (Local Management Unit Team Leader), Biti Tangan Ekure (Assistant to LG Vice Chairman), Lukpata Ogar (CRS Gov. MPP9 Desk Officer), Akintola Akinyemi (Director Community Development Foundation), Nora Okon (LG MPP9 coordinator), Hon. Victor Njor Ogar (LG Vice Chairman), Temitayo Omole (EU Delegation Desk officer of the new Niger Delta Support Programme), Joseph Agbor (MPP9 driver), Felicia Okongor (Departmental Security Officer), Hon. Cyprian Abang Attah (Supervisor of Works).

Aim of the visit on 1^st of November 2011was to see a cross section of 33 income generation related MPP9 standard projects implemented with counterpart funds. Contracts for 56 MPP9 projects funded with EDF grants are scheduled for award in April 2012. Etung LGA introduced the visitors also to an Etung  long term environmental and tourism project for Agbokim Waterfalls. It is a major tourist attraction in Cross River State. In the background Agbokim Waterfalls. The picture shows from left to right: Temitayo Omole (Project Officer Social Sector, Desk Officer of the new Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP), Hon. Godwin Etim John (Etung Local Government Executive Chairman), Klaus Gautsch (EU Delegation Head of Social Sector, Community Development, Micro Projects), Hon. Kingsley Ntui Isong (Etung Local Government Adviser on MPP9 Etung Pilot Programme).