UNDP to partner National Assembly on constituency projects

Towards ensuring sustainable development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged to support environmental initiatives in constituent projects that would enhance people’s livelihoods.

The Guardian reports that the National Coordinator of Global Environment Facility/Small Grant Programme, GEF/SGP, Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, while speaking to journalists in Abuja, , urged the lawmakers to take cognizance of the programme by reaching out to UNDP so that they can act as a delivery mechanism for constituency projects.

She said: “GEF- SGP serves the interests of the grassroots people. The idea is to allow local communities participate in environmental initiatives at their own level. If any community identifies any environmental project and need funding, should approach us.

“UNDP’s emphasis is on remote and marginalized communities where development assistance will not get. Our areas are biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, persistent organic pollution and international waters.”

She therefore hinted, the programme is working in over 125 countries including Nigeria. “One of the challenges we are facing is inability of the people to fulfill their pledge on support for monitoring and evaluation.

“We’ve helped a community in Edo State, which was never connected to the national grid to gain access to renewable energy .The maximum amount of support from SGP is $50,000 so we restrict to projects that have direct bearing to increase accessibility and delivery to the people,” she added.

Source: The Guardian