NAN-AE-14
Projects
By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Nov. 23, 2016 (NAN) Mrs Ibironke Olubamise, the National Coordinator, Global Environmental Facility/Small Grant Programme (GEF/SGP) says the programme has spent more than four million dollars in executing projects from 2009 till date.
Olubamise disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday at the inauguration and appreciation ceremony of the new National Steering Committee members of GEF/SGP.
She explained that GEF, through the SGP had spent four million dollars in executing projects, directly or indirectly, in various communities.
“In terms of co-financing GEF have also raised a one-on-one co-financing to those four million dollars.
“GEF is more concerned about co-financing.
“The idea is that if you are putting some resources for a project, it is important to ensure that the people handling it are serious with such project, “ she said.
She said that GEF through SGP had worked with more than 100 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the execution of projects.
She added that GEF released maximum of 50,000 dollars to the NGOs for such projects.
“The minimum we have given to NGOs is 18,000 dollars and we are really having a good working relationship with the NGOs and better result, “ she added.
She said that the out-going 11-member committee worked with GEF for seven years, adding that the committee worked selflessly to ensure that SGP achieved its goal.
She said that GEF would continue to carry out projects to help the needy and promote utilisation of environmental resources, especially in the rural communities in the country.
She said that GEF focal areas include biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation and persistent organic pollutants.
Mr Lamin Beyai, UNDP`s Country Director said that GEF through SGP support the activities of NGOs and community-based organisations in developing countries.
Beyai said that about 130 countries that participated in SGP had ratified conventions on biological diversity and climate change.
He said that there are 84 country offices, two regional offices and two sub-regional offices with daily management by SGP coordinators.
He, however, advised the new committee members to work with GEF to enable quick execution of projects across the country.
The country director also thanked the former committee members for their dedication in strengthening GEF activities in the country. (NAN)
VOE/MOL/GY
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Grace Yussuf