Goodluck Jonathan

From James Emejo   in Abuja

The Federal Government and the European Union (EU) have formerly signed a €197 million (about N43 billion)-financing agreement to improve  five critical areas including the justice system, fight against drugs and organised crime, water supply and sanitation sector reform, support to Federal Government reform programmes as well as support to electoral cycle.

Speaking in Abuja at the signing ceremony, Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman who signed on behalf of the federal government said the 10th European Development Fund would be closely implemented and monitored in targeted sectors to achieve the desired objectives.

Specifically, he said all the selected implementing agencies would have to sign Performance Agreements with him on behalf of the country and they would be made to commit to deliver on all the results set out in the project they have committed to implement.

Under the new funding partnership, the justice sector is to receive €27 million (about N5.3 billion) to improve effectiveness, accountability and transparency and fairness of the justice system.

Moreover, €36 million was dedicated to support the fight against drugs and organised crimes while €94 million is earmarked for the water and sanitation sector reform programme phase II (WSSSRP-II).

Other programmes covered in the funding include support to government reform programmes which gulped €20 million as well as €20 million for the improvement of the electoral cycle ahead of the 2015 elections.