From Olukayode Idowu, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has tasked the European Union (EU) and implementation partners to ensure the completion of all projects earmarked for his state.
The governor while admitting that the projects might exceeded their lifespan due to insecurity, COVID-19 and other challenges existing in the Northeast told the EU Steering Committee Meeting in Abuja at the weekend that all the resources earmarked as Borno package are should be spent in the state.
He said: “I am appealing to the EU to grant us extensions for the implementation partners to enable them complete their projects sited across the state.”
The Commissioner for the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (MRRR), Mustapha Gubio who represented the governor at the meeting, reiterated EU’s need to support ‘knowledge manage’ of the package through the Ministry’s website and data centre.
In her response, the EU Head of Cooperation in Nigeria, Mrs. Cecile Tassin-Pelzer acknowledged the coordination efforts of the state government through its ministry on the Borno package.
She said. “We are committed in supporting Nigeria address her challenges,” adding that EU will look at no-cost-extension request to approve or justify the need for extension.
Kabiru Abass, the team leader of the Support to Coordination of EU (SCEU) intervention in the state (SCEUBS) presented the overall progress, beneficiaries reached, outstanding activities and way forward to complete the implementation of package.
The implementation partners; however called for the improvements in security and access to project sites and extension to complete their activities in the state.
According to an EU partner, the duration of the extension period will be worked out at a later date.
The package has supported more than a million beneficiaries in early recovery and peace building activities in 22 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Borno state.