EU to mitigate Niger delta crises with €478 million

New Europe

3 February 2012

EU to mitigate Niger delta crises with €478 million

On 3 February, the European Commission has approved funding for projects aimed to increase stability and security in the Niger delta region in Nigeria. EU programmes will provide training and employment for young people, help in fighting corruption and organised crime and improve access to drinking water and better sanitation.

The EU will also work on strengthening of the Nigerian justice system and the governance reforms. One of the priorities will be enabling Nigeria to manage its own funds.

Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs reiterated the importance that the EU attaches to its relations with Nigeria “as the dominant political and economic force in West Africa and a key player on the African continent”.

He added that the EU will assist Nigeria “to consolidate peace in the Niger Delta, improve governance, reduce poverty and make progress towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals”.