The German
government has announced a commitment of €47.6m (N16.23bn at the
official exchange rate of N341.14 to one euro) as financial support to
Nigeria for technical cooperation programmes and special project
initiatives.
This
was revealed by the Leader of a German delegation, Mrs. Renate von
Boddien, during a meeting of the Nigeria-Germany Consultations on
Development Cooperation, hosted by the Federal Ministry of Budget and
National Planning in Abuja on Thursday.
A
statement issued by the ministry stated that Boddien disclosed that the
commitment was part of bilateral technical cooperation and special
project initiative aimed at tackling the root causes of displacement of
refugees and speed up their integration under the ‘One World No Hunger
Green Innovation’.
This, according to her, will also strengthen Germany’s support for the Green Innovation Centre for Agriculture and Food Sector.
She
explained that €22.6m was earmarked for bilateral technical cooperation
and special funding lines; €19.9m for special initiatives to tackle the
root causes of displacement/reintegrating of refugees; and €6m for
special initiatives for the ‘One World No Hunger’ project initiated to
strengthen its support for the Green Innovation Centre.
Boddien
reaffirmed the German government’s commitment to stay engaged in the
priority areas of sustainable economic growth, Nigerian energy support
programme and technical cooperation.
She
was quoted to have said that the “technical cooperation is being
implemented through the pro-poor growth and employment promotion
programme in Nigeria, which was inaugurated by the German Ministry of
Economic Cooperation and Development and is co-financed by the European
Union.
“The
objective is to increase employment and income generation for Micro,
Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the three states of Niger, Ogun
and Plateau.”
She
further stated that other areas Germany was planning to also commit
funds included humanitarian support in the North-East, the fight against
polio disease and to support technical and vocational education.
The
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udo Udoma, commended
the German government for its support and told the German Ambassador to
Nigeria, Mr. Schlag Heck, that the Federal Government was working hard
to diversify the Nigerian economy.
This, he said, would stimulate growth through agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing and development of processing zones.
The
minister urged German investors to invest in Nigeria and create jobs so
as to ensure development, adding that the government had provided
enabling environment for investors.
Punch