By CHRIS OCHAYI

ABUJA—The United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, has tasked stakeholders in the electoral process in Nigeria to ensure that the outcome of the 2015 general elections was free, fair and transparent.

The outgoing Country Director, UNDP, Ade Mamonyane Lekoetse, threw the challenge at a farewell organised for her by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Lekoetse, who got a new appointment as UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative for the Republic of Gambia, was accompanied by her successor, Bernado Cocco.

She  said the country required a peaceful poll in 2015 to sustain the current unity, as well as foster cohesion to confront development and other challenges.

According to her, “as for 2015, I pray for the unity of Nigeria and that the forthcoming 2015 elections would be peaceful and results widely accepted so that Nigeria would continue to smile after 2015.”

The UNDP is a major development partner with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and  under the outgoing Country Director, the partnership yielded tremendous achievements in physical development and production of the famous Niger Delta Action Plan aimed at fast- tracking the region’s development.

Lekoetse advised the Federal Government to take the issue of development challenge in the Niger Delta seriously, noting that the region was very important to the survival of the country on the account of its economic capability.

She said:  “Our work was not in vain because the validation mission was very successful and the report was widely accepted and the recommendations were laudable and approved.

Special attention for Niger Delta region

“For me and for most Nigerians, Niger Delta is very important because as they say, the goose that lays the golden eggs. And if the goose and eggs are not taken care of, Nigeria would not be what it is or aspires to be.

“Niger Delta is very important and we are hoping that the action plan which is a very beautiful document and has been widely endorsed be implemented, particularly because most revenue for development and well being of this nation comes from that region, so, efforts to ensure that the people in the Niger Delta are well looked after ensuring that they get the benefits of what God endowed on the country, which they are the custodians, should be our concern.

“It is also very important that we have peace in this region and the nation at large. It is on this basis that the UNDP in 2009 supported the preparation of the marshal plan that ushered in the amnesty programme to curb the insurgence of militancy.

“Another major efforts of UNDP under my regime is that the body has been working in the region to ensure that the issue of environmental pollution is addressed and cleaned. Recommendation would be implemented as discussions are on and actions have already been taken.

“The report is not only being looked at only for the Ogoni land, the issue of pollution affected all the Niger Delta states. We are working with the ministries of petroleum and environment to clean up the region and enhance the livelihood of the people around there.

“I want to solicit that the professional and cordial relationship that I enjoyed from the ministry that held my partnership in high esteem be extended to my successor to safeguard the cooperation and friendship between UNDP and MNDA.”

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, who assured that President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to keep Nigeria one, said the President was determined to support the electoral institutions ahead of the 2015 general polls.

According to him, “Mr. President is committed and determed to keep Nigeria one. “God has a purpose for bringing all Nigerians together; our culture, language, people and diversity are very important.

“Nigeria as a country will not disintegrate. Mr President is determined to support the electoral institutions. 2015 elections will be free and fair. President Goodluck Jonathan’s election slogan of one man, one vote will be upheld.”

Orubebe described UNDP in Nigeria as a valuable partner progress for its unflinching supports for the entrenchment of peace, progress and sustainable infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

He said UNDP was greatly instrumental to the design and development of the Niger Delta action plan, the success of which was achieved through the focus and purposeful leadership of the outgoing country Director, Mamonyane Lekoetje.