NEPAD Nigeria, she said, has been working with the public and private sectors, civil society and development partners to advance the implementation of action plans and mainstreaming NEPAD, and this has been massively communicated.

There are seven programme clusters, all advancing implementation : infrastructure development ; governance, peace and security ; agriculture, trade and market access ; environment, population and urbanisation ; human resources development, employment and HIV/AIDS ; science and technology ; and communication and advocacy.

The process is supported by the NEPAD Nigeria Office, NEPAD focal points in federal ministries, agencies and NEPAD state co-ordinators and there is support from Federal Ministers and State Governors.

A NEPAD Nigeria strategic plan of action sets the pace and gives direction, while partnerships have been implemented with stakeholders.

Challenges include strengthening and sustaining political will and leadership, building capacity, speeding up implementation and integration, involvement of the private sector, communicating NEPAD, and ensuring wide ownership and synergy between country and continental level.

Source : nepad news, november 10, 2006