Nigeria, UNIDO sign $60M programme for sustainable devpt
Nse Anthony-Uko is Abuja editorial lead at business a.m. covering finance, business, economy, federal government economic MDAs and FCT
The Nigerian Government has signed under a $60 million new country programme with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development inNigeria for the next 2018- 2022.
The new country programme, the second in the series of UNIDO’s support to Nigeria, is aligned to the priorities of the Nigerian Government as outlined in the Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and
the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan. The first programme ended in June 2018.
The programme is to guide UNIDO’s programme/projects interventions in Nigeria during the period; build on the cumulative achievements of past Country Programme implemented by Nigeria/UNIDO; and to strengthen
synergies by collaborating with other development partners, state and non-state actors, including the private sector.
Okechukwu Enelamah, minister of Industry, Trade and Investment signed for the Nigerian Government while Li Yong, the director-general, UNIDO signed for his organisation.
It covers industrial governance, research and statistics; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise development; Special Economic Zones, Industrial Parks & Private sector development; innovation science and technology management.
Other key areas covered are agro industry and agribusiness development; minerals and metals development; trade capacity building; renewable energy development; and environmental management programme.
Enelamah, who expressed gratitude of the Federal Government and his ministry for UNIDO’s collaboration said the programme was designed to build on the cumulative achievements of the past Country Service
Frameworks and Country Programme implemented by UNIDO.
He said that UNIDO was encouraged by the success of the first Country Programme which paved way for the new programme.
According to him, under the first phase, Nigeria was able to get support for the development of an industrial policy for Nigeria and for states including Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Oyo, Lagos, Abia, and Edo; develop agribusiness and agroindustry, including value chains development with installation of modern rice milling equipment in Ebonyi State and Benue State, and installation of palm oil processing mill in Akwa Ibom State;as well as renewable energy development with the identification of over 200 potential Small Hydro Power (SHP) sites in Nigeria; installation of
SHP plants in Enugu State, Bauchi State, and Taraba State; technical support to 5 Megawatts rice husk (biomass) to energy in Ebonyi State; techno-economic feasibility. He explained that the SHP plant in Taraba
State is the source of power for the Highland Tea Factory which has transformed from bankruptcy to profit;
Other key achievements in the first phase of the programme included studies and business plans on sawdust (biomass) to energy in nine Local Government Areas in Ogun State and Ondo State; development of
textile and garments common facility centres in Abia State (for leather and garment), Kano State (for leather and leather goods) and Delta State (for leather); and National quality infrastructure.
Answering questions on the direct impact of the programme on Nigerians, he explained that, among other benefits industrial development means creation of more job opportunities.
The minister promised effective collaboration with UNIDO for the success of the programme, which will enhance the implementation of the ERGP which started well and for which concerted efforts are being made to
ensure it ends well.
Earlier, Yong said that the signing of the agreement was important for Nigeria as the country strives toward achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation.
He promised that UNIDO will collaborate with the ministry to mobilise funds and resources required to successfully implement the programme.
Welcoming the Yong earlier on, Aisha Abubakar, minister of state, Industry, Trade and Investment said his acceptance to personally come for the signing ceremony, even at short notice, underscores the
strategic place Nigeria has in UNIDO’s agenda for eradication of poverty and inclusive growth.
“As you are aware, once Nigeria gets it right, the entire Africa Continent is in good stead to achieving UN Sustainable DevelopmentGoals,” she added.