US to contribute $45.5 million to North-East rehabilitation efforts

 The United States Government says it will contribute an additional $45.5 million to rehabilitation efforts in the North-east. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Sullivan, said this at the NigeriaU.S. Bi-National Commission (BNC) meeting in Abuja on November 20. Mr. Sullivan said the support would help those who had been affected by violence in the North-east to rebuild their lives. “I am proud to announce that the United States, through our colleagues at USAID, will contribute an additional $45.5 million to support stabilization and early recovery efforts to help those who have been affected by violence in the northeast to rebuild their lives.’’ He, however, urged the government to sustain a comprehensive approach to restoring peace, security and development in the northeast. Mr. Sullivan called for enhanced cooperation between government, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and community leaders to create a viable, “socio-economic and political infrastructure to support lasting peace and development”. This infrastructure, he said, must include “transparent and credible investigation of human rights violations and mechanisms to hold those found guilty accountable for their actions. This is essential to deepening the people’s trust of government, strengthening security efforts in the northeast and improving the United States ability to partner with Nigeria.”