By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI – THE United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, UNICEF, Tuesday, urged Ebonyi State government to remain focused and committed to the payment of its counterpart funds to ensure smooth realisation of  its activities in the state.

Chief Field Officer, UNICEF “A”, Enugu, Mr. Charles Nzuki, made the call during an advocacy visit and signing of 2011 Programme of Implementation Agreement, PIA, in Abakaliki.

Nzuki stressed that it was only through the payment of counterpart funds by state governments that UNICEF-planned programmes for 2011 would be implemented successfully.

He noted that UNICEF projects included: provision of nutritional and environmental intervention when a child’s survival is threatened; basic and free education for children; HIV/AIDS pediatric care.