By Ebi Kesiena
The United Kingdom has pledged to support the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in its drive to reduce humanitarian crises and end poverty in Nigeria.
Development Director, British High Commission, Abuja, Dr Christopher Pycrof made this known when he paid a visit to the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu in her office.
Pycrof assured the Minister that the British government would place at her disposal any assistance her Ministry might require to succeed in its mandate.
According to him,”I just like to make it absolutely clear to you that the UK Government will provide you with support, we have a team which is focused both on the humanitarian side but also increasingly on the development side as well.
“So we are looking to work to provide durable solutions and we should be able to reduce that sense of separation between the need to provide lifesaving humanitarian support on the one hand, and then the need to provide development support on the other.
“We see it as a holistic approach for people to be in humanitarian need for as little time as possible, to work with them to be able to achieve sustainable livelihoods durable solutions, and then development which benefits everybody here in Nigeria. We have a lot of expertise which I would make available to support the ministry.
Describing the Minister’s job as “one of the most complicated jobs in government”, Pycrof commended Edu for the excellent manner she has so far piloted the affairs of the Ministry stating that her passion and commitment will make a big difference.
“I think it’s probably safe to say that you’ve got one of the most complicated jobs in government. Not only have you got responsibility for dealing with the humanitarian situation, but then the poverty alleviation agenda means that you’re also going to be involved in financial issues, in health, agriculture, education, infrastructure and employment etc. And you must coordinate from federal government with the State governments as well” Pycrof said.
Responding, Dr. Edu expressed immense gratitude to the UK government for the great support and partnership over the years. She was optimistic that working together, would birth a better result for Nigeria.
“We are really very grateful to the UK for continuous support. President Bola Tinubu has carefully selected his agenda to meet the needs of Nigerians in a sustainable manner. His priorities are to eradicate poverty, ensure food security, create jobs and protect the citizens of this country. Nations and development partners must key into this agenda for better coordination and impact. We are glad that you have committed to supporting the ministry we urgently require that support to make an impact.
The Ministry will work with other line ministries and the state governments, Local Government and development partners including great nations like yours to achieve the needed results,” she said.
