US donates $45.5m, $1.3m for security, power

The United States Government has extended an additional grant of $45.5million to the Federal government to tackle security challenges in the North East and another $1.3m to address power challenges in the country.

This was disclosed on Monday by the US Deputy Secretary of States John Sullivan during the 2017 Nigeria – US Binational Commission (BNC), that held in Abuja.
The Deputy Secretary of State said that US is committed to strengthening its relation with Nigeria and intends to device new ways of improvement in security, economy and social development.

He maintained that the situation in the North East calls for grave concern, lamenting the level of devastation and carnage Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa have caused in the region but said US is disposed in assisting the affected victims.

He said, “Today, I am proud to announce that the United States through the USAID will contribute an additional $45.5 million to support stable recovery of those who have been affected by violence in the Northeast, to repairs their lives.
“We will continue to partner with Nigeria to help them in using the power of agriculture to jump start the economy and provide more opportunities” he said.

Sullivan stressed that education is very important in national development but that security, infrastructure development and good governance must be considered along side education. He pledged that US will partner with Nigeria in providing security.

He maintained that Nigeria’s success does not depend on its military success but on goods governance, hence the need for a comprehensive solution. For him, social and political infrastructure must be in place to ensure development and there must be a comprehensive response to return the over 2million Nigerians who have been displaced in the Northeast.

“Nigeria’s success does not depend on its military effectiveness, it requires improvement on the economy and governance, comprehensive response is necessary.
“Security is necessary but it is not sufficient to enable prosperity. Inclusive economic growth and development is an essential component which Nigeria must pass through. Experience has shown that predictable economic policies and a transparent justice system leads to a viable business system and investment.

“Nigerian government with civil rulers and wide area of community leaders, must come together to create a social, economic and political infrastructure to support lasting peace and development for decades to come” he said

Sullivan lauded government zeal to bring lasting peace to the north east, supported by establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), saying that US is disposed to partner with government to actualize those laudable policies.

According to him, additional efforts is needed to break protectionists barriers, promising that US wants to be part of the economic success of Nigeria.
The US government he continued has also declared its readiness to assist Nigeria solve her electricity and energy problems in the rural communities through an additional donation of $1.3m to address shortage of gas in the country.

“Another key aspect of our shared prosperity is having the resources that are needed to fuel growth. The US government ‘Power of Africa Initiative’ will help the Nigerian government serve the majority without access to electricity.

“We are turning out today a $1.3million project to address the shortage of gas availability, in gas fired power plant under the US-Nigeria Power for Africa Initiative to assist in the power sector problems”
Revealing other areas of collaboration between both countries, Sullivan said that “US assisted INEC to develop a 4 year plan for the 2019 election which was tested in the just concluded Anambra elections”.

He observed that Nigeria is determined to end corruption, saying that the Open National Action Plan of this government is a pointer to it. He said that Nigerian government’s determination in fighting corruption will keep the economy growing just as he stressed that good governance is importance to get the economy also growing.
He said that US will continue to support Nigeria in those areas that will bring accelerated development in the country.

In his address, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, said that the BNC will promote stronger ties in both countries. He remarked that the Presidents of both countries have promoted the bilateral relationship.
“We are two of the world’s largest democracy and the relationship has strong potential to promote peace in the continent”.

He pointed out that in March 2016, the former BNC held in Washington was very apt as Nigeria has taken significance steps to improve business environment, security and have climbed up the ladder in the ease of doing business indices.
“The establishment of a Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council and the launch of the Economic Recovery Growth plan has given us a boost in the ease of doing business ranking.

“On insecurity in north east, our security has done a lot to bring stability. The resolve by Us to sell 12 war planes to Nigeria shows their readiness to support the country” Onyeama stated.
He added that Nigeria’s achievements since the inception of BNC in 2010 has brought major US inflow into Nigeria, in aviation, power and establishment of direct air link between both countries.

Present at the event were Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enalemah, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, Minister of State, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, INEC Chairman represented by Mr. Dayo Akpata and a representative of the Ministry of Defence.
Others are the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Stuart Symington and members of the diplomat community.

Myke Uzendu, Oluchi Okoroafor, Abuja.