The European Union (EU) is planning to invest massively in the Niger Delta of Nigeria in 2009, acting head of delegation to Nigeria Denis Thieulin was quoted on Tuesday by the Tribune newspaper as saying.
Thieulin failed to mention the areas that EU will concentrate on in the investment plan as well as the amount likely to be involved, but noted that the plan would be an extension of the Micro-Projects Program 3 (MPP3) and the Micro-Projects Program 6 (MPP6) projects already executed in the region.
According to the Tribune newspaper, Thieulin promised that Nigeria would benefit immensely from the EU in the coming years, especially as it intends to go into active consultations with other donor agencies, to achieve all its development plans.
He raised the hopes that the donors, which they have already consulted, had so far shown assurance in assisting Nigeria achieves her Millennium Development Goals.
He expressed concerns that the dreams would only work in the atmosphere of peace, adding that, the recent riot in Jos, which claimed many lives and saw destruction of properties should be addressed by the Federal Government to prevent reoccurrence.