The Federal Government says it is satisfied with the progress achieved by the RESILAC2 intervention project that impacted the lives of 32,000 people in Yobe and Borno states.
A total of 118,000 people are benefiting from the project in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.
Dr Sampson Ebimaro, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, made this known during the 2rd National Steering Committee meeting of the stakeholders in Maiduguri.
RESILAC2 (Inclusive Economic and Social Recovery around Lake Chad), has provide vocational skills, empowered women on trades and supported microenterprises in the two states.
Daily Trust reports that the RESILAC 2, co-funded by the European Union (EU) and French Development Agency (FDA), is being executed by Action against Hunger and CARE, among others.
Ebimaro said the field visit by the stakeholders had offered them the first view of progress made in the implementation of the programme.
“The visit earlier today provided valuable insight into how intervention and shaping lives, fostering economic opportunity and golden hope among conflict affected communities.”
“More importantly it has provided an opportunity to identify and address some ultimate areas for better outcomes while also highlighting key aspects for successful intervention and long term sustainability.
“This tangible result and lessons underscore the effectiveness of collaboration, among governments, donors, implementing partners and enduring resilience of the people of Lake Chad region.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning remains committed to sustaining and strengthening this partnership.
“Our collective objective is to align humanitarian and development efforts with national priorities, particularly in the areas of livelihood to recovery, social cohesion and peace building,” he said.
Represented by Mr Abdullahi Yakubu, a Deputy Director and Head of Bilateral Economic Cooperation in the ministry, Ebimaro said the Ministry would continue to promote a comprehensive approach to resilience building.
“We will ensure that the programme was integrated within a broader national framework for sustainable development..
“These efforts reflect the shared determination of every stakeholder to transform lives and good lasting peace across beneficiary communities,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Thierno Samba Diallo, the Country Director, Action Against Hunger, Nigeria (ACF), said RESILAC was designed as a regional programme to address the root cause of poverty in a way to support the federal government, Borno and Yobe states toward addressing it.
He said the five years programme was co-designed by the communities, the local authorities, the state authorities and chaired the implementation by the federal ministry of budget and economic planning.
Diallo said part of the process for implementation was for the stakeholders to come and see the progress of activities of the RESILAC programme.
He called on the benefiting countries to thank EU and FDA for supporting their people despite withdrawal of funding by other donors across the world.
Also speaking, the Borno Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Mr Isa Halidu, advocated for stronger cooperation among the stakeholders for better results.
Halidu, who was represented by Habu Yajiwa, the Borno Focal Person on Social Investment Programme, urged implementing partners to remain focused in order to achieve the objectives of the programme.
