Governor Liyel  Imoke said that  Anambra State and his own State of Cross River  were committed to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by the year 2015, even if Nigeria failed to do so.

He was speaking at the Signing of the  Memorandum of Understanding between 6 participating States for 10 European Union Development Fund with the Ministry National Planning on Thursday at the Minister’s Conference Room.

Imoke’s  stand was informed by the fact that Anambra and Cross Rivers State were recently adjudged  the best States in the EU’s 9th EDF, which ended on 11th of June, 2012.

A total of 120 Million Euro was spent under the 9th EDF. While the EU provided 94 Million, the participating States provided 26 Million.

Speaking shortly before the signing, Minister of National Planning, Dr, Shamsuddeen Usman said that the approval of the 10th EDF was because of outstanding performances of States involved in 9th EDF. He called on them to even double their efforts to make the 10th EDF better and more beneficial to the people.

He explained that  under the 10th EDF, which will last for 84 months, that a total of 80 Million would be spent, with EU providing 80, the participating states 13 and  UNICEF 1 Million Euro.

Responding on behalf of the Governors, the Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Liyel Imoke said that the partnership with the EU had  brought about veritable results to the communities were various projects from the fund were utilised. He thanked the EU and the Planning Ministry and assured that the participating States would live up to expectations.

Speaking to the press, the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi said that when he attended functions such as the signing ceremonies, that  they inspire him to believe that Anambra  would in due time overcome all its difficulties, which have been substantially reduced under his Government.

“When I became Governor of Anambra  State, no development partner was working or carrying  out any project in  the State, but today, due to the return of sanity to the State, all of them are working with us and as far as I am concerned, this is very good for  the State and we will continue to build on that”, Obi said

The event was attended by the Minister of National Planning, Shamsuddeen Usman, Govs. of Cross River, Liyel Imoke and his Anambra State counterpart, Peter Obi;  representatives of  Governors of  Jigawa, Osun, kano and Yobe States . Also present were the representatives of many development partners in Nigeria.