The 19th NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) oversight committee co -organized by the African Development Bank and the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom hosted by the East African Community ended today at East African Community headquarters in Arusha ,Tanzania.

The 11-12 November brought together representatives of Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Development and Cooperating Partners to discuss among others improvements in the procurement processes, reporting formats, prioritization of projects, fast-tracked disbursements of the committed funds, capacity building across stakeholders, the strategy for resource mobilization and communications.

Speaking at the closing session EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure Dr Enos Bukuku commended the good work that AU, NEPAD, the African Development Bank and the many development and cooperating partners are doing through the IPPF in assisting many African Regional Economic Communities to prepare prioritized regional infrastructure projects for investments.

Dr. Bukuku informed the meeting that nearly all the RECs now have infrastructure development Master Plans and Strategies that require support to transform them into projects and eventually into investment opportunities for both Governments and the private sectors.

"I have no doubt in my mind that the NEPAD-IPPF instrument is fulfilling it intended mandate and with the improvements that have been recommended during this meeting"

Note to Editors:

The NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF) Special Fund aims to assist African countries, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), specialized agencies and related institutions by providing grant resources for: (i) preparing high quality and viable regional/continental infrastructure projects with a view to requesting financing from public and private sources; (ii) developing a consensus and partnership for project implementation; and (iii) promoting infrastructure projects and programs aimed at enhancing regional integration and trade.

The IPPF directly contributes to the objectives of the MTS, Regional Integration Strategy which retained regional infrastructure as a strategic priority sector. In addition, the regional focus of the NEPAD-IPPF makes it a key contributor to regional integration by interconnecting the infrastructure of countries and regions of Africa.

Source: http://www.eac.int