On 19 March in Abuja, the National Planning Commission hosted the Heads of several Agencies at a high level project briefing session. At the briefing, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria stated its commitment to finance three projects in the value of 98 million Euros (approx. N20 billion) to support the justice, anti-corruption and drugs sectors in Nigeria. These projects will be implemented by UNODC.
The major highlight of the meeting was the signing of a 35 million Euros (approx. N7.2 billion) Financing Agreement by the Federal Government and the European Union (EU) in support of the Government's efforts in preventing and fighting corruption. The agreement was signed by the Honourable Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman CON and the Ambassador, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria, H.E. Dr. David MacRae on behalf of the Government and EU respectively. The UN Resident Coordinator Daouda Toure expressed gratitude to the EU and the Nigerian Government for entrusting UNODC with the responsibility of these three large projects, adding, "I assure you that the UN System, led by UNODC, stakeholders and beneficiaries, will execute these projects to achieve the set objectives for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians."
Dr. Usman commented that the project will be implemented by UNODC and is a continuation of the 9th European Development Fund that supported the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Judiciary. The main beneficiaries of the project include but are not limited to; the Bureau of Public Procurement, Code of Conduct Bureau/Code of Conduct Tribunal, Public Complaints Commission, EFCC, National Financial Intelligence Unit, Special Control Unit Against Money Laundering and, Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms as well as civil society organizations.
UNODC Representative, Ms. Mariam Sissoko highlighted the expected outcomes of the project as, strengthening of anti-corruption policy making, coordination and monitoring mechanisms, strengthening of institutional and operational capacity; and empowerment of civil society and its participation in anti-corruption activities.
The overall objective of these three projects is to promote good governance and contribute to Nigeria's efforts in enhancing transparency, accountability and combating corruption, contributing to the reform of the justice sector and addressing drug related issues in Nigeria' said Dr. David MacRae, Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria.
