State2State: USAID Nigeria Holds 3-Day Works In Core Sectors In Ebonyi

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity has organized a 3-day workshop in Abakaliki to chart ways of improving government’s ability in delivering services in the cores sectors of development in Ebonyi state. However, the team equally engaged government in the area of planning and budgeting, raising revenues, increase responsiveness to citizens needs and priorities, manage conflict and oversee service delivery in various sectors including health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene.

Speaking at the workshop, a consultant in public finance, Dr. Godwin Ibe highlighted the importance of government having planned projects which the USAID Nigeria State2State have decided to assist in developing their Medium term sector strategy that will pave the way for efficient execution and monitoring of such projects. He maintained that due to scarcity of resources, Government have been prioritizing projects to be executed so as to have breakthrough in any sector identified.

Dr. Godwin Ibe said that for this effectiveness in monitoring to happen, there must be a sector planning team with members drawn from all walks of life, but most importantly members from the state House of Assembly. In another paper presented by Ejiro Okotie, a Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist, she harped in the importance of considering the impact on ways government raises revenue which has varying impacts on women, men, youth, people with disabilities and non indigenous groups. She maintained that Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) is very important as it enables Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make judicious and efficient use of Government resources to deliver public services that are inclusive, accessible and improve the welfare of all citizens, irrespective of gender, ethnic identities and abilities.

In his presentation, Mr. Chris Umebese spoke extensively on water, sanitation and Hygiene and how people should see the preservation of water supply as a collective responsibility. Speaking on behalf of the participants, the Deputy Clerk in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs. Uche Edene appreciated the organizers of the workshop as the content will help the Government in reshaping its projects execution procedures. Another participant at the workshop and the Acting General Manager of Ebonyi State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engr. Joseph Agwu commended the USAID State2State Activity for chosen Ebonyi State for the workshop and implored them to have a follow-up to the workshop most especially in the water supply and sanitation sector.