INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS

Welcome to the Conference on “the role of sub-national jurisdictions in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa” which is being co-organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance of Nigeria, the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on the MDGs (OSSAP-MDGs) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the World Bank from 7–9 May 2009 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, Nigeria.

B. Immigration requirements

All that visitors to Nigeria, except for nationals of ECOWAS member States, are required to have a visa.
While you should secure a visa prior to your departure, because of the time constraint, we have made arrangements with the Nigerian immigration authorities to issue you a visa upon arrival if needed. To obtain a Nigerian visa, we advise that you visit or contact the nearest Nigerian diplomatic or consular mission with the letter of invitation we sent to your Ministry along with a letter from the Ministry indicating that you are the chosen nominee.

The visa fees will be accommodated in your per diem.

C. Health Requirements

Participants must ensure that they have taken the necessary vaccinations and that they travel with their vaccination cards.

Travelers from those areas who do not have proof of vaccination will be vaccinated, free of charge, before entering Nigeria.

D. Airline reservations/ticketing requirements

Participant sponsored by ECA will be notified on how to collect their ticket (e-ticket, PTA or UNDP country office).

Sponsored participants are strongly advised not to purchase their own tickets for any reason without authorization by ECA.

Please note that you will not be reimbursed should you proceed to purchase a self-ticket without prior express written authority from ECA.

Participants who are not sponsored by ECA are responsible for making all necessary arrangements.

E. Hotel Accomodation

ECA is providing a Daily Subsistence Allowance at the United Nations rate for Abuja, which is US$215.00 to, sponsored participants for the length of stay to participate in the meeting. Participants have been booked at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel with a special UN rate of N22,000.00 exclusive 10% service charge. Participants are responsible for settling their hotel bill and any other personal expenses including dinners and telephone charges using their DSA.

The hotel can be reached at:
Mr. Jibrin Mohammed
Telephone: +(234-9) 461-3000 / 413-1811
Fax: +(234-9) 461-3110
Email: jibrin.mohammed@hilton.com
http://www.abuja.hilton.com

Participants who are not sponsored by ECA are responsible for making and financing their own hotel arrangements.

Listed below are the various hotel options:

Nicon Hilton Hotel
Location: Abuja
Tel: 234 9 4131811 – 40
Fax: 234 9 4132417 - 19
Email: hilton.Abuja@hilton.com

Bolingo Hotels & Towers Inc
Location: Abuja
Tel: 234 9 2344701 – 9
Fax: 234 9 2344710
Email: bolingo@bolingohotelandtowersplc.com

Agura Hotels
Location: Abuja
Tel: 234 9 2341753/60
Fax: 234 9 2342750

F. Communication Service

Phone cards can be bought and used in public pay phones and Mobile Phone facilities and services are also widely available at various agencies in Abuja.

G. Banking Information

It is important for participants to note that whilst Travelers Cheques are accepted at most of the hotels, the rate of exchange is considerably lower than that for the US Dollar Exchange. The rate between Travelers Cheques and Cash Dollar can vary up to US$ 20.

Travelers Cheques cannot be changed and are not accepted at any Forex Bureau or Banking Facility.

H. Weather

May corresponds to the rainy season. Daytime temperatures vary between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius, while nighttime lows hover around 22-23 degrees Celsius.