ALLOCATION REQUEST FOR THE AMBASSADOR'S SPECIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000146 SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/EPS CAROL TRIMBLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID KDEM SOCI NI SUBJECT: ALLOCATION REQUEST FOR THE AMBASSADOR'S SPECIAL SELF HELP FUND REF: STATE 1255 ¶1. U.S. Mission Nigeria requests USD 250,000 for its Special Self Help (SSH) program for FY06. Given the strategic importance of the Niger Delta to American interests in Nigeria and to Nigeria's very stability, Mission would like to focus our self help efforts on easing tensions and improving living conditions in that vitally important region. Social and economic disequilibrium in the Delta, evidenced by the growth of militias and their increasingly violent misconduct, threatens the viability of mainstream social structures, the GON's writ, as well as the operation of the energy sector. In a region producing almost ten percent of US oil imports, it is key we increase our efforts in this strategic area. ¶2. In the Delta, the need for water, health, basic education, and economic opportunity is immense, despite the significant oil wealth generated in the region. Chronically poor economic and social conditions are key factors in the increasing incidence of violent attacks and kidnappings targeting expatriates, including many Amcits, in the region. These indicators highlight the necessity for the US Mission to embark on more high visibility, community-level assistance programs. It is in our interests to partner with community groups in the Delta. The more conditions in the Delta improve the less Delta inhabitants will drift toward radical misconduct. The more the USG is involved in providing assistance, the more goodwill is produced for the USG and for American companies and citizens working in this region of the country. In a nutshell, the Delta is the most significant patch of real estate in sub-saharan Africa with regards to U.S. energy needs. It is also home to the largest U.S. private sector investment in sub-saharan Africa. USG assistance programs in the Delta should reflect this level of importance as well. One of the most effective means to achieve this is via an augmentation of the Mission self help programs that would provide us with $250,000 for community projects in Delta for FY 2006. -------------- NIGER DELTA PROPOSAL SUMMARIES -------------- ¶3. Below find summaries or our FY 2006 proposals: ¶A. Farmer's Improvement Union, Ogoshi Uku and Umudiora Village, Delta State - Procure and setup rice thrashing machine to improve quality and volume of output, and expand economic opportunity for approximately 10,000 community residents. ¶B. Idumuje Unor Progressive Organization, Idumuje Village, Delta State - Contruct classroom to improve learning environment and student capacity at rural school, which serves a community of approximately 10,000. ¶C. Niger Delta Professionals for Development, Warri, Delta State - Procure amd set up solar panels to provide consistent, reliable power supply for community library and school serving a population of approximately 35,000. ¶D. Emuu Community Hospital, Aleto, Rivers State - Procure and install an ultrasound machine and an ambulance to expand diagnostic capability and patient response capacity for community hospital serving a population of 8,000. ¶E. Horoagbor Community Organization, Nonwa, Rivers State - Dig borehole and install pumps and tanks to provide clean drinking water to a community of roughly 2,000. ¶F. Life Intervention Project, Igbo Etche, Rivers State - Procure school desks, tables and chairs to improve educational environment and student capacity for rural school, benefiting approximately 1,000 students. ¶G. Life Intervention Project, Ogba, Egbema, Kdoni communities, Rivers State - Dig borehole and install pumps and tanks to provide clean drinking water to the communities with combined population of approximately 7,000. ¶H. Life Intervention Project, Port Harcourt, Rivers State - Procure computers and books for the local girls secondary school, to improve the educational opportunities and student capacity for a rural school serving roughly 3,500 students and teachers. ¶I. Omu-Onueche Okoroagu Livestock Farmers Cooperative Society, Port Harcourt, Rivers State - Procure food processing mill and dig borehole and install pumps and tanks to provide expanded economic opportunity, affordable food production, and a source of clean drinking water for the Lgwuruta community and surrounding areas, approximately 30,000. ¶J. Public Health Impact Research Center, Ulkwauni LGA, Delta State - Teach vocational programs and provide counseling and career guidance through an internet job center. Empower youths educationally and economically to make a positive difference in their lives and that of their community, as well as to become independent, resourceful adults. -------------- - TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IMPACT PROPOSAL EVALUATION -------------- - ¶4. Security concerns over recent attacks and kidnappings will somewhat hamper our ability to travel in the Delta region and will complicate efforts to monitor projects. In evaluating which project proposals to accept, we will keep these restraints in mind in order to minimize their impact. These concerns should not stop our ability to monitor these projects at a level consistant with Self Help program guidelines. Post will forward specific information about selected proposals once they have been adequately evaluated. BROWNE