The Niger Delta Action Plan is mainly based on the realignment of existing development investment with the Results Framework, rather than additional investment. As such, the figure of $10 billion attached to the Results Framework is approximately equal to the investment budget of Niger Delta states. However, since it is foreseen that states will not forgo control over their existing programming allocations, the plan foresees the mobilisation of additional, catalytic funding through the Multi-Stakeholder Trust Fund.
Over and above the estimated figure of $10b, required to address the major infrastructural needs of the region, the MSTF is expected to raise a further $200m to implement its short-medium term plan and meet its objectives. Just under a fifth of that sum represents programme overheads over the five-year period, a figure justified by the need for presence and penetration in the region rather than a centralised approach. A $50m Challenge Fund and grantmaking pool (included in the $200m total) towards supporting specific companies with innovation and inclusivity programmes that will be based on defined selection criteria is also included.
Criteria will include knowledge and information sharing commitments by the candidate firms, with a view to deepening industry capacity and capability. During the latter stages of the delivery of the short and medium term plan it is anticipated that the MSTF will have demonstrated sufficient impact, additionality and scale to justify political space for inclusion in cross-cutting strategic planning. The MSTF will be able to act as a virtual shared-services hub, and work on a coordinated approach to social infrastructural investment. This model enables the key stakeholders to maintain political control of funds whilst relinquishing a degree of control over the direction and deployment of these funds.
Such is a plan underway for a comprehensive overhaul of the social and infrastructural development of the region.
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