By Musa Adamu
Abuja
The Federal government and the UN System in Nigeria signed a $1.7billion United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF III) action plan for the promotion of equitable and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.
The steering committee comprising representatives of each party was also inaugurated for the implementation of the action plan to cover the period 2014 – 2017
Minister of national planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, signed on behalf the federal government, while Mr. Daouda Toure, resident coordinator, UN System in Nigeria signed for the global organisation.
While speaking, the minister listed the four areas to be covered by the UNDAF III agreement as good governance, social capital development, equitable and sustainable economic development as well as human security and risk management.
He also stated that UNDAF action plan hinges on the clear development priorities as defined in the NV20:2020, the transformation agenda of the present administration and the first national implementation plan (1st NIP) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“As you are aware, the UNDAF action plan was built on the lessons learnt during the implementation of UNDAF I and II. It hinges on the clear development priorities defined in the NV 20:2020, the first national implementation plan (1st NIP), the transformation agenda and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
“It is needless to say, that the federal government remains committed to achieving accelerated, sustainable and inclusive growth and development,’’ he said.
He further stated that the signing marked the beginning of the UN system commitment to working harmoniously together in a more coherent manner under the self- starter “delivering as one,” intended to ensure that enhanced development effectiveness for the government and people of Nigeria.
Accordingly, the minister explained that the federal government was committed to resuscitating the bombed UN House. He also disclosed that the government was coming up with an aid policy.
The UN system will be represented by four agencies on a rotational basis on the steering committee and on the basis of the result areas namely; good governance by UNDP, social capital development, UNICEF, equitable & sustainable economic development, UNIDO while human security & risk management by the UNHCR.
Similarly, membership of the federal government on the steering committee includes the federal ministries of health, trade and investment, agriculture, labour and productivity and of women affairs and social development
Also speaking, country Representative of the UNDP, said UNDAF action plan was fully aligned to the national visions, plans and programmes of Nigeria.
Toure pledged that capacity development would be given a priority to achieve the final UNDAF result with everybody playing its supposed role.
