FCTA Releases N500M For UNDAF II

PHOTO: FCT MINISTER, SENATOR BALA ABDULKADIR MOHAMMED.

ABUJA, Sept 28, (THEWILL) - In order to fast track development in the rural areas of the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration has released the sum of N500 million for the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) II as part payment of its counterpart funding.

FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed made this disclosure while inaugurating the FCT United Nations Development Assistance Framework II Partnership and Outcome Boards in his office on Today.

The Minister who was represented at the occasion by the FCT Permanent Secretary, Dr. Biodun Nathaniel Olorunfemi revealed that additional N500 million would also be released as at when due because the administration considers the programme crucial to the economic and social development of the territory.

Senator Mohammed reiterated that the whole idea is to maximize the available scarce resources either in terms of human or capital for the advancement of the living standards of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

Senator Mohammed remarked that the FCT Administration is committed to making the Federal Capital Territory a model in the federation and an investment nerve centre of the country.

The Minister challenged the membership of the two Boards to see themselves as pacesetters who cannot afford to disappoint the residents of the Federal Capital Territory and indeed the entire nation.

Senator Mohammed, who stated that he is proud of the wonderful relationship that has existed over the years, thanked the United Nations Systems for choosing FCT as one of the seven states of the federation to participate in this pilot programme.

He noted that some of the areas covered by this partnership include governance and capacity building; improvement to access to education; integration of public procurement reform into public sector management; strengthening of existing micro-finance institutions; immunization services as well as reduction of maternal, under-five and neo-natal mortality, water, hygiene and sanitation.

The Minister called on the members of the two Boards to strive to ensure the actualization of the objectives of the programme; insisting on synergy for better results.

The Partnership Boards is co-chaired by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Systems in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure; while the Outcome Board is also co-chaired by Dr. Rabe Mani of the United Nations Systems (Food & Agriculture) and Isa Muhammad Ari, the FCT Director of Economic Planning, Research and Statistics.