US OKAYS $45.5 M FOR NORTHEAST RECOVERY, $1.3 M FOR GAS SHORTAGE

ABUJA, Nigeria – The United States has said it will contribute an additional $45.5 million to support stabilization and early recovery effort in the quest to rebuilt Northeastern Nigeria devastated by the Boko Haram insurgent.

The U.S also announced $1.3 million project to address the problem of gas shortage to power plants in Nigeria. Deputy Secretary of State, John J. Sullivan made the revelation during a U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, in Abuja, Nigeria.

“Today, I am proud to announce that the United States, through USAID, will contribute an additional $45.5 million to support stabilization and early recovery efforts to help those who have been affected by violence in the Northeast begin to rebuild their lives…

“I am pleased to announce a $1.3 million project to address the shortage of gas available for gas-fired power plants under the Power Africa Initiative through the Department of State’s Power Sector Program”, he said.
He explained that recently, Nigeria was named a target country in its Feed the Future Initiative, which means that the United States will continue to support food security and nutrition programming in Nigeria including development programming focused on the Northeastern states.

“We will continue to partner with Nigeria to help harness the power of agriculture to jumpstart the economy and provide more opportunity. We recognize that peace, economic growth, and good governance must extend well beyond the Northeast to cultivate prosperity across Nigeria from the Northeast, to the Middle Belt, to the Southeast, and the Niger Delta.

“We continue to encourage dialogue and tangible improvements in standards of living – from creating jobs, to protecting the environment, to providing services to fight corruption in the Niger Delta – a region with a major impact on the nation’s economic prosperity”, he said, noting that though the U.S. government will continue to support local efforts, lasting solutions and a path forward will come from the Nigerian people.

He said that security is necessary, but it is not sufficient to enable prosperity. According to him, inclusive economic growth and development are essential components for Nigeria to prosper.

“Experience has shown that predictable economic policies and a transparent justice system create a positive environment for growth to attract businesses and investment.

“Since the last BNC, Nigeria has taken steps to do just that, including through the implementation of a more flexible currency system and the launch of an Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. However, additional progress is needed to reduce protectionist barriers and to ensure a predictable and transparent regulatory environment”, he said.