- The European Union says it has so far spent about $500 million in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.
- The Head of Co-operation and European Union delegation to Nigeria, Mr. Brian O’Neill disclosed this on Wednesday when he led an EU delegation to the Amnesty Office, in Abuja.
- He said the $500 million spent in the region spanned for a period of 10 years, covering two circles of EU’s developmental and empowerment programmes in the region beginning from 2001 till date.
- According to him, $250 million was expended in the first circle while another $250 million was spent in the second round of the programme, covering over 2000 projects.
- He said his mission was to assess the extent of success of the intervention programmes and find out other ways the EU could be of assistance to Nigeria to bring enduring peace and development to the oil rich region.
‘‘The EU has spent $500 million in the past 10 years in Niger Delta region. We need to look into the progarmme and see how it can be sustainable and bring peace in the Nigeria Delta region.
‘‘There are many opportunities to be explored in the Niger Delta because it is a fertile land to be explored.
‘‘The EU will do everything it can to bring development in the area and attract other partners to bring peace and development to the Niger Delta.’’
- O’neill also said that the EU support to Nigeria is not restricted to Niger Delta region but also to the North Eastern part of the country currently being ravaged by insurgents.
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