L-R: Country Director, United Nations Development Programme, (UNDP), Pa Lamin Beyai; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Commissioner for Budget, Economic Planning and Service Delivery, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, during a working visit and Signing of Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU), in Ado-Ekiti.
International Development agency, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ekiti State for the State to benefit in the 8th country programme between 2014 and 2017.
Signing the MoU in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, UNDP Country Director, Dr Pa Lamin Beyai stated that Ekiti was selected to participate in the programme based on the commitment of its leadership to making a difference in the lives of the citizenry as exemplified in the review of previous partnership with the state.
The Country Director who disclosed that Ekiti ranked best in performance in the assessment of the previous partnership with States in Nigeria asserted that he never expected less than an excellent delivery of the goods to the people of the State given the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi’s background in sustainable development.
Dr Beyai stressed that the Governor’s antecedent as well as the performance of the State is enough for the development partner to entrust the State with resources needed to succeed in the campaign against poverty.
“We have given you the chance to participate in the 8th country programme. Get that clear, it is not based on his letter, it is based on what you do in this state. what we did this year was to look at every state and the commitment they have for our programme, what they have on ground and their ability to deliver. At the end of the day, when we assessed these states, Ekiti actually came first. Yes, the letter was okay but this has to do with the development we see here”, he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Fayemi has disclosed that the World Bank which is one of the development partners in the State has invested no less than $120 Million in different sectors of the State in the last three years.
The Governor Who had in October last year visited the UNDP office in Abuja reiterated the resolve of his administration to banishing poverty from the State hence the involvement of critical development partners, especially the UNDP.
Dr Fayemi while highlighting the efforts of his government in providing succory and rescue for the people asserted that the greatest challenge that every society faces is poverty.
He lauded the UNDP for the support previously given the State saying that this had attracted many other partners to the State.
“Our relationship with UNDP will trigger so many good things for us and now the world bank is here giving us 3 major projects totaling $120 million, the African development bank, every player in the development field is here in Ekiti . They must have seen something in us to make them partner with us. We also have support from UNDP FAO, UNIDO and other agencies of the UN so we know what we are getting in this country programme. We owe it a duty to ourselves to deliver on the various projects that will be covered by this programme. The crux is still to banish poverty in the state, and we will not relent in our effort till we win the war against poverty”, Fayemi said.
Last modified: February 20, 2014