BY ANDREW IKEHI

THE Minister, National Planning Commission, Ambassador Abubakar Suleiman has lauded the partnership deal between the Delta State Government,
the World Bank and the European
Union (EU) under the State Employment and Expenditure for Results (SEEFOR) project, saying that the partnership is in tandem with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.
The Minister who stated this yesterday while inspecting some of the projects already executed in the state through the SEEFOR project, particularly commended the Delta State Government for taking the lead in the implementation of the tenets of the SEEFOR project.
He particularly held that sustenance of the partnership and its extension to other states of the Federation would in no small measure
help in curtailing insurgency, criminality, and youth restiveness as well as assisting in poverty reduction and job creation.
Alhaji Suleiman who inspected some road projects, skill acquisition centres and road maintenance Projects of the SEEFOR in the state called on other states in the country to take a cue from the Delta State government, saying; “If other states should do what the Delta State is doing, then, such intervention projects/funds from the World Bank and other donor agents will continue”.
He said further, “From what I have seen so far in Delta State, it is an indication that SEEFOR is working and that the World Bank is complementing government efforts. Also, I make bold to say that the Delta State government is indeed complementing what the World Bank is doing”.
“SEEFOR project in Delta State, from what we have seen so far, it is not only creating job, but helping us (The Federal Government) to reduce poverty and unemployment as well as assisting government both at the state and Federal level in addressing criminality, insurgency, youth restiveness
and Militancy”.
“By and large, the partnership of the State Government with the World Bank and the various stakeholders is working in Delta State and I want to say categorically that Delta SEEFOR is working; they are doing what they are expected to do”. I am reliably informed that that out of the four states where SEEFOR currently exists, it is only Delta State that has succeeded in doing their own intervention and partnership in complementing the SEEFOR project up to the tune of engaging thousands of youths who were employed in the project” Suleiman has said.
Leading the Minister during the Inspection visit, the Delta State Project Coordinator of the SEEFOR project, Mr. Benson Ojoko said that the project since its commencement about three years ago, has lived up to its biddings, particularly in its job creation and poverty alleviation.

This is a good one