Report reaching Brainnewsradio has it that, the United Nations (UN) has ranked Cross River State as the best performing and most committed state in the whole of Nigeria, Calabar Reporters reports
This, according to the report, was made known on Wednesday 14 by Head of UN Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, during the United Nations Sustainable Development Partnership Framework, UNSDPF 2018 end of year Review and 2019 Work Planning meeting in Calabar, Cross River State capital.
In a statement, Kallon, as represented by Head of UN Resident Coordinator office in Abuja, during the opening of the 3-day meeting said Cross River’s commitment cannot be seen or compared to any other state.
The statement reads:
“Cross River State has been with the UN – our partnership on the implementation of the UN DaO since we started the cycle in 2012. We have tested and done what we call the pilot ‘Delivery as One’ in this state and when we compare with the other states where we’ve worked, this is one of the State where we see that the government is very committed by bringing people together, doing the plan and implementing it together and reporting them together. So, Cross River is on top of it.”
“In terms of coordination, this is one of the few states where they have created special purpose Ministry to coordinate Development parties. It is nowhere in the country where we are working and because of that, when we go to other states, we bring people from this state to go and tell them how they are doing things in Cross River.
“Cross River is a special state and they have been doing this one in a special way, that’s why we ranked them as number one and that’s why we have to start everything from here. Everywhere we go we try to use Cross River as an example, because they are delivering, they are serious and we are also ready to help them do what they want to achieve.
“What Nigeria determines to be their priority is what the UN will come in and support them. Therefore, Cross River State has determined some set of priorities like the areas on good governance, human rights, supply of services like education, health, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Social Protection, and said, these are the areas the government is looking
at.
“So the UN agencies with the expertise are coming in to support the government to implement some of these interventions to alleviate and help the people live better lives.
Speaking on behalf of the Cross River State Government, Hon. Francis Ettah, Commissioner for Ministry of International Development Cooperation said the State understands the policy and how it works. He added that the reason why the State is being scored 99% is due to coordination, commitment and performance – Calabar Reporters.
By Wisdom Peter,
