The Commissioner for the Ministry of International Donor Coordination (MIDC), Elder Dr. Hippolatus Lukpata, has charged development partners in the State to continue synergizing as a unified system to drive state growth. He noted that this collaborative approach is vital to reducing the duplication of interventions in single locations, thereby promoting even development across the State.
Dr. Lukpata emphasized that the administration of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, places a high priority on the activities of development partners.
He assured them that the government remains fully committed to providing the necessary attention and fostering an enabling environment for their smooth operations across various intervention areas.
Addressing administrative processes, the Commissioner clarified that government requests regarding partner drawdowns are not intended to investigate or audit organizations. Instead, they enable the State to track the total volume of development inflows and assess the ongoing viability of various programs and projects.
He further explained that tracking these financial releases and annual operational plans is essential for future reflection, especially after current interventions wind down. Consequently, he urged all partners to consistently submit their reports to the MIDC.
Earlier in the meeting, the alternate chairman for the month of June 2026, Chief Henry Egbelo, reminded partners of the importance of the gathering.
He urged them to prioritize punctuality and extend timely cooperation to achieve their shared objectives, noting that the forum facilitates invaluable experience-sharing that enhances program efficiency.
Chief Egbelo expressed delight with both the high attendance and the high standard of coordination maintained by the MIDC. This effective oversight, he noted, has built significant confidence among partners and yielded positive results for the State, as evidenced by the sustained engagement and active participation of attendees throughout the proceedings.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of a closure report by the United Kingdom Partnership for Accelerated Climate Transition (UK-PACT). Progress reports were also delivered by the International Fund for Agricultural Development-Assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (IFAD-LIFE-ND), the Livelihood Improvement Public Workfare (LIPW), and the Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Project (FOLUR-IP).
The meeting saw a robust turnout, with a total of 38 development partners in attendance, representing various international and national organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
By Iloke Egbe
