USAID State2State team Holds 3-days workshop in Ebonyi

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Following the determination of USAID under its Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness State 2 State Activity, a 3-day worship has been organized in Abakaliki to chart ways of improving government’s ability to plan and budget. Speaking at the workshop, a Consultant in Public Finance, Dr. Godwin Ibe highlighted the importance of government having planned projects which the USAID State 2 State has decided to assist in developing their Medium term sector strategy that would pave the way for efficient execution and monitoring of such projects.

He maintained that due to scarcity of resources, government had been prioritizing projects to be executed so as to have breakthrough in any sector identified. Ibe hinted 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 her presentation, Ejiro Okotie, a Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist, harped on the importance of considering the impact on ways government raises revenue which has varying impacts on 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. On his part, Mr. Chris Umebese spoke extensively on water, sanitation and Hygiene and called on people to see the preservation of water supply as a collective responsibility. Appreciating the team, one of the participants and Deputy Clerk in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs. Uche Edene and and the Acting General Manager of Ebonyi State Rural water supply and sanitation agency, Engr. Joseph Agwu appreciated the organizers of the workshop as the content would 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 state 2 state USAID for chosen Ebonyi for the workshop and implored them to have a follow-up to the workshop most especially in the water supply and sanitation sector. However, the team also focused on 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.