Niger Delta
IFAD Projects Suffer Setback In Delta
The International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Community National Resource Management Programme (BNRMP) in Delta may suffer set back due to non-release of funds.
Mr Chris Abua, Delta IFAD Programme Officer, said made this known in an interview with the newsmen in Asaba.
He said that the state government and its local councils were defaulting in counterpart funds contribution to the programme.
Abua said that out of the nine local government areas currently benefiting from the assistance, only three made initial contributions in 2007 while the state government paid up to 2008.
The programme, which he said, started in the state in 2006 but with effective funding and operation in 2007, was designed to improve the living standard of families in “poorest of poor communities”.
Abua expressed regret that the failure of the state and the local councils to make their contributions was affecting remittance of funds from IFAD and NDDC, which provide the substantial funds.
He said that the programme took off in the state with 300,000 dollars (about N45 million) provided by IFAD through the World Bank as financiers.
Abua explained that the state government complemented it with its contribution of N14.2 million in 2006, N16.25 million each in 2007 and 2008.
He, however, said that the state had since 2009 when its contribution was reviewed to N36.25 million, failed to contribute, adding that IFAD and NDDC had also defaulted in their contributions in 2010.
Abua explained that the budget of the scheme was increased in 2009 when it became necessary to expand the projects from three local government areas to nine and 27 communities in the state.
He flayed the local councils for not making efforts to pay their counterpart funds in spite of the presence of the programme in their communities.
Abua said that families, groups and communities in the areas covered by the programme enjoyed credit facilities, trainings and skills acquisition as well as the provision of infrastructure.
He expressed regret that the programme’s activities in the state were declining due to paucity of funds and appealed to all the parties, especially the state government and local councils to meet their commitments.
“The issue is not the budget but the release of the funds. The government and local councils through agreements signed showed great enthusiasm and willingness to operate the scheme, but they are failing now,” Abua said.
He stressed that counterpart funds were the assurances of continuity of the programme and added that IFAD might sanction the state for defaulting in its contributions to the programme.
Abua advised that to avoid bottlenecks associated with the scheme’s funds; contributions should be made direct to the community development account, which is regularly checked by the supervisor in every state.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Tony Nwaka, admitted that the state and some local councils were in arrears of counterpart contributions to the programme.
But he assured IFAD and NDDC that the counterpart funds would soon be defrayed.
Nwaka said: “Yes, this administration is in arrears in the payment of counterpart funds, we are planning with high hopes, to meet this obligation as soon as possible.
“All efforts are being made to ensure that all outstanding state and local government counterpart funds are paid.”
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.
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