Nigeria signs EUR 677 million European Development Fund agreement

[The Lawspeaker]

European Union

IP/09/1771

Brussels, 19 November 2009

Nigeria signs EUR 677 million European Development Fund agreement to support governance, trade and peace actions

The European Commission has today signed a multi-million euro agreement that aims to help Nigeria tackle development challenges in the areas of governance, trade and peace. The agreement, signed in Brussels by European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht, and by Nigeria's Executive Secretary of the National Planning Commission, Professor Sylvester Monye, is an ambitious step forward in cooperation and is a direct result of the Nigeria-EU political dialogue. It reinforces cooperation in three strategic areas: peace and security; governance and human rights; trade and regional integration with EUR 677 million for the period 2009 - 2013 financed through the European Development Fund.

The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid Karel De Gucht said: "This agreement shows that Europe stands by Nigeria and its people in the development challenges it faces. I'm delighted that a substantial amount of this financing will go to support conflict resolution and the peace process in the Niger Delta which has been ravaged by years of unrest. We are fully committed to supporting the Government of Nigeria in the process of restoring peace and bringing development to the region."

The agreement known as the "Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme" (CSP/NIP) of the 10 th European Development Fund (EDF) will provide a total of EUR 677 million between now and 2013 for:

* peace and Security with EUR 166 million;
* governance and Human Rights. A major part of the new cooperation strategy (44% - EUR297million) will support governance reforms at all three tiers of the government, the fight against corruption and electoral reform in view of the 2011-2015 electoral cycle;
* trade, regional integration and energy with EUR 105 million;
* climate Change, health, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation with EUR99 million.

Almost a third of the overall budget (29%, corresponding to EUR 199 million) is devoted to addressing underlying causes of violence and poverty in the Niger Delta
region.

Background:

This Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme differ significantly from the earlier 10 th EDF (2008-2013) cooperation strategies launched with the other African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. For the first time it ties political dialogue at the highest levels with cooperation policy. The strategy and programme are based on the priorities established at the EU-Nigeria Ministerial meetings in Ljubljana (May 2008) and Prague (June 2009). The new approach to cooperation is set out in the Nigeria-EU Joint Way Forward, agreed in Prague, which is an innovative tool to propel the relations and cooperation between longstanding partners. Furthermore, the CSP/NIP is based not only on this document, but on the European Union-African Union Strategic Partnership as well.

This new cooperation strategy unites Nigeria and the EU around a common position and a common approach on peace and security; governance and human rights and regional integration.

The indicative financial allocation for Nigeria amounts to EUR677 million in programmable funds (including a EUR97 million incentive tranche), and EUR12 million for unforeseen needs.

The programmable funds will be used for the following purposes:
* peace and security: EUR166 million (25% of the total amount) will be invested, inter alia, in the fight against organised crime, improved migration management and prevention of human trafficking, support for the peace process and conflict prevention in the Niger Delta and support for international mandates on conflict prevention;

* governance and human rights: EUR297 million (44%) will be used, inter alia, to support the judiciary and prison reform, support anti-corruption bodies, the electoral cycle for 2011-15, federal governance reforms, local governance reforms in focal states, enhanced effectiveness of non-state actors and of mass media communications;

* trade, regional integration and energy: EUR105 million (16%) will be used, inter alia, to support trade and regional integration, the EPA development programme and improvement of competitiveness in the private sector, and energy security;
* non-focal sectors: EUR99 million (15%) will be divided among three main sectors: environmental protection and climate change, health and immunisation, cultural and scientific and technical cooperation; support is also planned, inter alia, for the national authorising office, studies and training.

Another article. It's $1 billion...
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Ooh FFS... that's what I call dumping money overboard...

[SwordoftheVistula]

Shouldn't they at least make sure they are out of the recession before throwing away such large sums of money?

[Poltergeist]

It usually means more luxury cars and villas for the ruling class.

[Vulpix]

From the BBC:

European Union gives Nigeria $1bn 'for peace'

The European Commission has signed a $1bn (£602m) development pact with Nigeria, aimed at tackling corruption and promoting peace.

A substantial amount of the funding will be spent on resolving conflict in the oil-rich and crime-plagued Niger Delta, the EU's development chief said.
The money will also target electoral reform and improving human rights.
But correspondents say many Nigerians will doubt the money will get to its intended targets.

$1 BILLION EU FUNDS
25%: peace and security
44%: governance and human rights
16%: trade, region integration and energy
15%: environment, health, culture and sciences

The BBC's Caroline Duffield, in Lagos, says corruption touches the lives of everyone in Nigeria and leaves the vast majority of people in poverty.
And she says many Nigerians believe the current government is losing the fight against corruption.

Almost a third of the EU money is devoted to the Niger Delta region.
For years militants have blown up pipelines and kidnapped foreign oil workers, demanding a fairer share of the wealth.

"I'm delighted that a substantial amount of this financing will go to support conflict resolution and the peace process in the Niger Delta which has been ravaged by years of unrest," said the EU's development commissioner Karel De Gucht .
Over the past few months, thousands of militants have given up their weapons in an amnesty deal offered by the government in return for the promise of education and jobs.

A three-month respite from the violence has brought back some oil and gas production, but sceptics fear the former fighters could resume violence if they do not quickly find work.

[Falkata]

I suppose there are economic interests in the region behind this "generous" agreement, you can´t be so dumb to give 1 billion € for free , specially in the current situation.

[francescovalentino]

I honestly find it disgusting that these Communists in the EU pour money into Africa, whilst we see the most terrible poverty remaining in some parts of Europe. A man must make sure his brothers, his sisters and his family are well-fed and clothed before he turns to others. To be honest, these African governments are so damn corrupt that we all know the money will just go to swimming pools, BMW's and three mistresses for the big boys. I pity the ordinary African who stays in Africa and loves his country (note STAYS in Africa). If only their leaders sorted out the continent, they would have far less reason to flock to white lands in their tens of millions.