By Auwal Ahmad, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has officially unveiled a new Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) policy, aimed at boosting transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the administration’s projects and programs. The launch event, held in the state capital, saw participation from various stakeholders and development partners, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by his deputy, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, stressed the significance of establishing a robust M&E framework to maximize the impact of government initiatives. He underscored the importance of data-driven decision-making and continuous monitoring to ensure the state’s programs deliver meaningful benefits to its citizens.
“The State Monitoring and Evaluation Policy is designed to institutionalize a framework that systematically assesses all government policies, strategies, programs, and projects,” said the governor. “This approach will help prevent poorly executed, abandoned, or stalled initiatives, ensuring that our efforts align with citizens’ expectations.”
The newly launched policy is aligned with Gombe’s 10-Year Development Agenda, which aims to track the implementation of state projects and foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making. The framework encourages regular evaluation of government investments and their impact, with periodic performance reports guiding future policies.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, UNICEF’s Chief of the Bauchi Field Office, commended the state government for adopting the M&E policy, which complements similar initiatives at the national level. She emphasized the crucial role of M&E in enhancing the effectiveness of government projects by providing timely feedback, identifying challenges, and recommending necessary adjustments.
“The introduction of this policy demonstrates Gombe’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and results-oriented governance,” said Dr. Rafique. “UNICEF is fully committed to supporting the state in implementing this framework, offering both technical and financial assistance as discussed.”
Wayne Amago Bacale, UNICEF’s Chief of Planning and Monitoring, described the policy’s launch as a significant step towards sustainable development. He highlighted that the framework would allow the state to track progress against its development targets, with the aim of achieving key milestones by 2030.
With the new M&E policy in place, Gombe State is poised to improve governance practices and ensure that government investments effectively address the needs of its people.
