National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
Tayo Olanipekun
The United States government will support Nigeria with $46.8m for the stabilization and recovery efforts that will help those affected by violence in the Northeast as well as to improve electricity supply in the nation.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, who announced this yesterday in Abuja during the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission meeting, noted his country recognized that peace, economic growth, and good governance must extend beyond the Northeast to cultivate prosperity across Nigeria.
The fund, as announced during the meeting hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is made up of $45.5m for the stabilization and recovery efforts in the northeast affected by violence and $1.3m for a project to address the shortage of gas available for gas-fired power plants under the Power Africa Initiative.
“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,” said Sullivan.
He added that “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.”
Sullivan said U.S. would continue to partner with Nigeria to help harness the power of agriculture to jumpstart the economy and provide more opportunity, saying security is necessary, but it is not sufficient to enable prosperity as inclusive economic growth and development are essential components for Nigeria to prosper.
He, however, noted the free and fair election Nigeria held in 2015 was a turning point in its relationship with the U.S. and encouraged Nigeria to build on the momentum as the country “heads into several state elections, and then to the 2019 election season.”
The Deputy Secretary also said his country would continue to work closely with the Government of Nigeria on repatriating stolen assets to the people of Nigeria and that U.S. is pleased to co-host the Global Forum on Asset Recovery in December.
“Fighting corruption and ensuring free and fair elections will make the Government of Nigeria more accountable to its people and better equipped to secure its citizens and keep its economy growing,” he affirmed.
