A policy framework developed to effectively align and coordinate the delivery of development partnership support between international agencies and the Cross River State Government has been launched.
The policy document was launched at a brief ceremony attended by the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Mathias Schmale and the Deputy Governor of Cross River, Professor Ivara Esu in Calabar, the State capital.
Strengthening Cooperation
Before the unveiling of the document, the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu saluted the commitment of the partners towards evolving a policy document alongside Cross River Stakeholders.
Professor Esu, who noted that Cross River State was not new to partnerships with international agencies, said, “this policy will further strengthen the cooperation between Cross River and development partners.”
He assured of the state government’s resolve to provide the right atmosphere for implementation of programmes and projects that would be beneficial to the people.
“The state government will continue to guarantee a pliable environment for our partners to accomplish their mandates. This is the motive for upgrading International Development from a department to a full-fledged ministry,” Esu stressed.
Also, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Schmale, who was in Cross River on a two-day working visit, commended the team for developing the policy document, which he described as a road map for future engagements.
Schmale said that the United Nations systems and special agencies would continue to provide support to the Nigerian and State Governments as has been done through the years.
He expressed the hope that the policy document would serve the purpose for which it has been developed and attract future international collaborations to Cross River.
Benchmark of Cooperation
Speaking on the policy christened “The Cross River State International Development Policy”, the Commissioner, Ministry of International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong said the document was to serve as a benchmark for future collaborations with international partners.
According to Asibong, “the policy is a home grown set of guidelines designed to achieve coordination, alignments and coherence in the delivery of partnership development. It is expected to address the gaps identified in development cooperation based on the realities on ground regarding peculiarities; addressing short term issues, while looking forward to the long terms.
“From inception, this policy has been supported by the UNFPA and World Bank. It is being launched with the support from CUSO International and Global Affairs Canada. It defines the extent we work with partners to align with the State’s development priorities,” she stated.
Present at the unveiling were the regional heads of the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA; the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF; the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel, UNOWAS as well as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR including the World Health Organization, WHO and other relevant Nigerian stakeholders.
Confidence Okwuchi
