Arise Agenda: A’Ibom Govt To Partner UNDP on Key Development Areas
Akwa Ibom State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to drive the state’s ARISE Agenda.
The partnership focuses on key areas such as tourism, blue economy, energy, skills acquisition, innovation, broad governance, and finance development.
The MoU was signed at Government House, Uyo, on Wednesday, with Governor Umo Eno expressing his administration’s commitment to working with the UNDP to actualize the vision of the ARISE Agenda.
Governor Eno disclosed that his administration plans to open Youth-Friendly Centres in all 31 Local Government Areas of the State to help develop the skills, creativity, and innovative ideas of young people in the state, especially those residing in rural areas.
According to Governor Eno, “God willing, we will do everything in our power to ensure that we work with you to actualize our vision, because ultimately it is our vision that you are helping to actualize.” He added that the centres would serve as hubs for young people to congregate, develop their skills, and showcase their innovative ideas.
The Governor assured the UNDP team of his administration’s passion for timely delivery of projects, highlighting the state’s template for project delivery, which has been attracting interest from other states. He stated, “We have Delivery Advisors whose duties are project-specific, while Commissioners have adequate time to focus on policies, their interpretations, implementations, and others.”
On her part, the UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mrs. Elsie Attafuah, commended the State for standing out as an excellent model for other sub-nationals in its health, education, and aviation sectors. She identified five possible areas of collaboration, including tourism, blue economy, energy, skills acquisition, and innovation, broad governance, and finance development.
Mrs. Attafuah assured that the UNDP team came to build on the vision of the Governor and strengthen collaboration between the State and the organization. She emphasized that the partnership would promote the ARISE Agenda and create jobs for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
She assured that the partnership will drive economic growth, create jobs, and improve the standard of living for Akwa Ibom State residents.