NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- OCTOBER 9, 2009

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ABUJA 001854 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AF/RSA, DRL, INR/AA USAID FOR AFR/WA (DALZOUMA) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL NI SUBJECT: NIGERIAN NUGGETS -- OCTOBER 9, 2009 REF: ABUJA 1757 ¶1. (U) Mission Nigeria provides the following compilation of recent political, economic, and social developments not previously reported. -------------- MINING TEAM VISIT -------------- ¶2. (U) The Mission sponsored a visit by a five-person mining team to Jos and Abuja to better understand investment opportunities in Nigeria's mining sector. The team, comprised of Embassy Abuja's EconCouns and Energy Officer, Embassy Pretoria's Minerals Officer and Minerals Specialist, and the U.S. Geological Survey's Africa and Middle East Director, met with federal and Plateau State mining sector officials, traveled to several mine sites, and led a stakeholder industry roundtable at the Nigerian Institute of Mining and Geo-Sciences in Jos. The team met with the Project Coordinator for the World Bank's 250 million-dollar project to promote sustainable management of mineral resources. Nigeria's solid mineral resources, if responsibly developed, could help diversify the economy away from over-dependence on oil and gas, thereby increasing employment and reducing poverty. The minerals team will prepare reports on the state of mining in Nigeria, the tin mining industry, and the mining investment climate in Plateau state, including recommendations for a mining program. A small amount of technical assistance could increase the productivity of small-scale and artisanal mining in Plateau State. -------------- - USAID -- BBC WORLD SERVICE TRUST MEDIA PROJECT -------------- - ¶3. (U) The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) entered into a public-private partnership with the BBC World Service Trust (BBC WST) to strengthen the Nigerian media. The partnership will train journalists and program managers in six states to cover key governance issues using international standards and applying values of impartiality, accuracy, balance, and objectivity. Under the project, 24 partner radio stations will receive intensive on-site training to produce radio programs that engage audiences to discuss governance issues, including oil-sector transparency, public-sector resource management, health and water management, and community-service delivery. The partnership will use a popular Nigerian radio drama, "Story, Story," which roots governance issues in everyday, local realities. Twenty journalists will receive financial support to pursue investigative stories, which they would otherwise overlook because of lack of resources. Training will target civil society organizations to improve their ability to use the media to achieve awareness and advocacy objectives. Under this partnership, USAID will provide 4.5 million dollars and the BBC/WST 10.7 million dollars (mainly in-kind),for a total of 15.2 million dollars, during three years. -------------- CDC RESPONDS TO CHOLERA OUTBREAK -------------- Q -------------- ¶4. (U) During the past month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported eight public-health professionals in responding to a cholera outbreak in three Northeastern Nigerian states. The deployed health care responders, who serve as residents of the Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP),train medical, veterinary, and laboratory professionals to respond to public health emergencies in collaboration with GON Ministries of Health and Agriculture. The cholera outbreak occurred during a national health care workers strike that hampered local responses. NFELTP residents helped establish cholera ABUJA 00001854 002 OF 003 treatment camps, environmental sanitation, mass water treatment, door-to-door health education, and negotiated improved hospital support to include funding for generator fuel, mattresses, and medical supplies. As of October 5, unofficial reports indicated 3,779 cases and 461 deaths from cholera. -------------- HIV/AIDS NATIONAL STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK -------------- ¶5. (U) The National Agency for the Control of AIDS officially launched its strategy development process the week of October 5 for the National Strategic Framework on HIV/AIDS 2010-2015. The USG, through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR),supports this critical effort for creating a costed, national strategic plan committed to ensuring sustainability of multi-sectoral HIV/AIDS responses in Nigeria. -------------- ELECTORAL BODY TO ACCREDIT MONITORS -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) International Liaison Deputy Director Blessing Obidiegwu told PolOff September 29 that her agency's primary engagement with the international community occurred through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Joint Donor Basket Fund (JDBF). Under JDBF, Ambassador Brownson Dede, a retired career diplomat and one-time Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of African Unity (now African Union),serves as a consultant to INEC. Obidiegwu noted INEC established Electoral Institutes in Abuja and Delta State to train the organization's 300 permanent staff. INEC officials planned to release the 2011 electoral calendar in October 2010. According to Obidiegwu, INEC will accredit all nations that seek status as international monitors and agree to follow INEC guidelines. She said INEC would welcome international monitors for the Anambra February 6, 2010, gubernatorial election, noting that accreditation requests must be submitted by November. -------------- INTER-PARTY ADVISORY COUNCIL -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) Chairman Dr. Iheanyichukwu Nnaji and representatives from some 20 political parties (out of 54 belonging to IPAC) expressed discontent October 2 to PolOff regarding GON performance on electoral reforms. While belonging to IPAC, the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) did not send a representative. IPAC members claimed that a constitutional amendment on electoral reform would be needed before the 2011 polls to avoid a repeat of violence and election-rigging from the 2007 elections. IPAC officials plan to send a delegation to Anambra State, after voter registration closes and political parties nominate their gubernatorial candidates, to encourage a free and fair poll in February. -------------- NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATES ELECTORAL REFORM -------------- Q -------------- ¶8. (U) The National Assembly, which reconvened the week of October 5 after a two-month recess, discussed electoral reform constitutional amendments. The Senate transferred an Electoral Offenses Commission Bill to a Constitutional Review Committee for further action after hours of debate on a provision allowing the President to fire any INEC member. Additionally, sponsors withdrew language establishing an Electoral Violence Commission from a Police Amendment Bill in the face of likely National Assembly rejection. ABUJA 00001854 003 OF 003 ¶9. (U) Embassy Abuja and Consulate General Lagos collaborated on this telegram. MCCULLOUGH