NIGERIA: CIVIL SERVICE OVERSEAS MOBILITY INITIATIVE

UNCLAS ABUJA 002746 SIPDIS DRL FOR MARIA PICA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM AMGT APER EAID NI SUBJECT: NIGERIA: CIVIL SERVICE OVERSEAS MOBILITY INITIATIVE REF: A. DRAFT CSOMI DOCUMENTS FROM DRL ¶B. PICA-ANDREWS 10-26 EMAIL ¶C. PICA-BROWNE 10/25 EMAIL ¶1. Post strongly endorses the establishment of a Coordinator for the Governance and Development Initiative in the Niger Delta under the Civil Service Overseas Mobility Initiative (CSOMI). While Post enthusiastically backs creation of this position, the slot was not anticipated in our budget; thus, we have very limited funds to support the position's establishment. Based on Ref.b, we understand that the CSOMI, in addition to paying salary and benefits, will cover all support and start-up costs such as: residential lease and furnishings, utilities, office furnishing and supplies, position-associated ICASS expenditures, allowances (including COLA),training and travel. Our concurrence, therefore, is based on the understanding that CSOMI will defray the above mentioned expenses and any other costs related to the position's creation. ¶2. As stated in the draft documents, we agree that the general purpose of the position is the management of the Delta Governance and Democracy Initiative which comes under the rubric of the Department,s(DRL's) overall corporate responsibility activities. The position will, under the direction of the Ambassador and though the DCM and Embassy Political Section, work with Nigerian government officials (national, state and local),oil companies and oil service companies, NGOs, the local population, and other mission elements to promote development, good governance, human rights and conflict resolution in the troubled Delta region. These Initiative objectives accord with top Embassy priorities. ¶3. Because this effort is focused on the Delta, it provides an important, unique opportunity to partner with US business in an effort to make the area in which they operate more stable and conducive to business by jointly promoting human rights, good governance, better security, development, and dialogue, as well as established "best practices" in these areas. By providing this type of targeted, comprehensive assistance, we cast both the USG and cooperating businesses in the best possible light -- we demonstrate that profitable business, human rights, security and community development go hand in hand. This will benefit both Nigeria and long-term US interests here. ¶4. The overall description of the position and responsibilities as outlined in the draft documents are sound. As we move along in the process of creating this position, there may be need to make minor revisions. Post will fax or email some preliminary comments to DRL ) Maria Pica. ¶5. The Embassy is excited to be a part of this important initiative. Jeter