Yago
10-26-2007, 05:13 AM
The US has granted Nigeria about N6 billion (477 million dollars) in three years to support development, says USAID country director, Sharon Comer. Comer said the US had promised to support the country with about N11 billion (845 million dollar) over a period of five years, 2004 to 2009.
The USAID country director signed an agreement on behalf of the US with the minister of national planning, Sanusi Dagash, Wednesday in Abuja for the release of N2 billion, part of the N6 billion grant.
Dagash is also the deputy hairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC).
"Our strategy strives to improve the lives of Nigerians through strengthening democratic institutions, reducing conflict, enhancing agriculture and economic growth," she said.
Comer said USAID would work in collaboration with all tiers of government, civil society and the private sector, to ensure that the funds improve the lives of the people.
"With these funds, USAID will help to prevent 1.1 million new HIV and AIDS infections, provide care and support to 1.7 million HIV infected individuals and assist 400, 000 orphans," she said.
Comer said the fund would also be extended to immunising of four million children againstpolio and reduce annual number of wild polio from 246 to zero.
Dagash, who signed for the federal government, said the NPC had been restructured to facilitate partnership with all donor agencies and countries.
He said the commission had been going into such partnerships with a full view of the ongoing reform programmes, the economic blue print, NEEDS and the President’s seven-point agenda.
The USAID country director signed an agreement on behalf of the US with the minister of national planning, Sanusi Dagash, Wednesday in Abuja for the release of N2 billion, part of the N6 billion grant.
Dagash is also the deputy hairman of the National Planning Commission (NPC).
"Our strategy strives to improve the lives of Nigerians through strengthening democratic institutions, reducing conflict, enhancing agriculture and economic growth," she said.
Comer said USAID would work in collaboration with all tiers of government, civil society and the private sector, to ensure that the funds improve the lives of the people.
"With these funds, USAID will help to prevent 1.1 million new HIV and AIDS infections, provide care and support to 1.7 million HIV infected individuals and assist 400, 000 orphans," she said.
Comer said the fund would also be extended to immunising of four million children againstpolio and reduce annual number of wild polio from 246 to zero.
Dagash, who signed for the federal government, said the NPC had been restructured to facilitate partnership with all donor agencies and countries.
He said the commission had been going into such partnerships with a full view of the ongoing reform programmes, the economic blue print, NEEDS and the President’s seven-point agenda.