The European Union (EU) says it is committed to supporting Nigeria’s reforms at both federal and state levels.
Samuela Isopi, EU ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS disclosed this in Abuja at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) State2State inaugural Policy Dialogue Series. It was themed ‘Post-State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS): Incentivising Reforms’.
Represented by the EU’s head of cooperation, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, the ambassador said reforms were integral to government and institutions.
Cecile further added that the reforms have no end as it is important that countries adapt constantly to the changing dynamics of socio-economic and geo-political affairs. She also insisted that the EU isn’t spared from this as part of their agenda includes driving and promoting reforms at home.
“At their core, reforms encourage transparency, accountability, fair and efficient distribution of resources and help countries make the most of their human and economic potentials. For Nigeria, reforms are important in order to capitalise on the country’s many endowments, mineral resources, and human capital, which is especially represented by its young population, diverse land and water resources, digital and creative drive, and leading economic and political position on the continent,” the ambassador said.
“This is why the EU stands by Nigeria, assisting the reforms at both federal and state levels in the design and implementation of policies, strategies, and regulations. As well as helping to enhance the capacity of institutions that implement them,” she added.
The representatives explained that there are some projects in Nigeria concentrated on tackling key systemic problems with the backing of the United Nations Development Programme and International Monetary Fund.
“To the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF), which will help Nigeria finance the achievement of the SDGs in the most efficient way. Another state-level example is our support for public finance management, currently being implemented in Borno and Yobe. Importantly, our projects support good governance, peace, and stability or the electoral process,” Cecile explained.
