All is set for the launching of the Federal Government’s economic recovery scheme for the North-East, a region ravaged by the Boko Haram terrorist group. In its bid to achieve this objective, the Presidency has approved the commencement of a rapid peace building assessment for the region, which is expected to last for three months.
The special assessment would be coordinated by the World Bank, United Nations, European Union and other development partners, Rachid Benmessaoud, Country Director for Nigeria and Coordinating Director for the West African Regional Integration Programme (World Bank) has said.
Benmessaoud disclosed this when he met with the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, in Abuja, adding that the assessment programme would be supervised by the office of the Vice President.
The World Bank also announcedits plans to assist Nigeria’s efforts to diversify its revenue source by collaborating with the ministers of Agriculture and Solid Minerals, Audu Ogbeh and Kayode Fayemi respectively, to determine possible areas of intervention.
Benmessaoud also pledged to give science and technology utmost priority, considering its ability to stimulate economic growth.
By Dike Onwuamaeze