EU Lauds Cross River For Adopting SWAP

CALABAR, August 14, (THEWILL) - The European Union (EU) has lauded the Cross River State Government for adopting the Sector Wide Approach (SWAP) in its concerted effort to deliver good governance.

A representative of the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Dr. Agatha Lawson gave the commendation during a dinner organized by the state in honour of SWAP experts who were in the State for a week long Workshop in Calabar, contended that the commitment already exhibited by the state in service delivery is second to none in Nigeria and promised to back it up with the new initiative to achieve the desired objective.

Dr. Agatha, who noted that resources from the Union will specifically be channelled on maternal and new born health, reasoned that the introduction of SWAP is meant to ensure that the targeted population derives the best benefit from government “We are working to improve the lives of young people in the society” she added.

While urging the government and people of Cross River State to rise to the challenge of playing a leading role on service delivery as a model State which translates into more benefits to the nation, setting the example of Ugandans who have implemented the initiative for over five years with bountiful result. She averred that the partnership with the State should be seen as a marriage and a synergy that is based on faithfulness and hard work, which will be of mutual benefits to both parties.

The State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke stated that the introduction of Sector Wide Approach will not only present employment opportunity to young Cross Riverians who constitute about 65 percent of the State’s population and reiterated his willingness to collaborate with the visioners to enhance service delivery.

According to him, ”SWAP to us means so much to our people because it presents unprecedented hope for brighter future for the State”, maintaining that given the deployment of the new approach, government resources deployed to service delivery will meet its target and promised to propel the success of the initiative in all sector of the State.

He expressed confidence that Cross Riverians will take advantage of the initiative to better their lots and make Cross River the most transparent state in addition to its current status as the nation’s desired destination.

Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund, from the Presidency, Mr. Solomon Adesanya said that the Federal Government has secured funding to execute all ecological projects presented to the office across the country, adding that all projects must be well articulated before approval can be granted and assured the State Government of its support to the successful implementation of SWAP.

Special Adviser, International Donor Support (IDS), Mr. Roy Ndoma-Egbna said the adoption of SWAP marks the beginning of another history in government were donor supports will be captured in the State budget.

He pointed out that SWAP is the vehicle that must move if Government must deliver on its mandate of qualitative service delivery to the citizenry, adding that all the partners have pledged to deploy their resources in ensuring success of the programme in the State and urged his colleagues to toe the new path of service delivery approach.