Nigeria and Japan on yesterday signed a grant aid project on economic and social development worth N642 million. The amount would be provided by the government of Japan. The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma signed on behalf of the federal government while Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Nigeria, His Excellency, Mr Sadanobu Kusaoke, signed on behalf of his home country.
In a statement signed by media adviser to the minister, James Akpandem, the programme aims at exploring development strategies that will enhance competitiveness and support the Nigeria’s poverty reduction efforts. It is also meant to improve standard of living and ensure environmental sustainability, which is in line with the development priorities encapsulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) [2017–2020].
Senator Udoma cited that the signing of an Exchange of Note (E/N) with the government of Japan on emergency improvement of electricity supply facilities in Abuja last year has played an important role in the development of the national power development master-plan designed to guide government on the optimal energy mix and efficiency for the country. “The economic and social development programme for which we are here gathered this morning, is also one of such interventions in the sum of Y200,000,000.00 (approximately N642,204,315.79)”, he said.
The Japanese Ambassador said though his home country’s government has been extending grant aids to Nigeria in different fields over the years, the country considers the grant aid in health and agriculture particularly important because advanced pharmaceutical research and improved agricultural production have direct, positive impact on the quality of life and on inclusiveness of growth.
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