USAID Project Solicits Support of Bauchi Finance Ministry to Achieve Effective Implementation
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nigeria funded intervention tagged “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) activity on Monday paid an advocacy visit to the office of the Bauchi State Commissioner of finance and economic development, soliciting for support in the effective implementation of it’s activities in the state.
The state team leader of the activity Mrs Rabi Ekele explained to the new commissioner that the activities of project is being implemented in the six selected states of Bauchi, Ebonyi, Gombe, Sokoto, Akwa Ibom and Zamfara for improved good governance.
Read Also: Troops Foil Attack On Yobe Community
“Honourable Commissioner Sir, we are here in your office to officially brief you on the implementation of our project in Bauchi State and to solicit for your support and cooperation for us to implement the project effectively.”
She said implementation of the project will help in improving financial management system which will include, budget planning, budget transparency, internal control, financial reporting and debt management among others.
“The purpose of the USAID State 2 State activity is majorly to increase accountability, transparency and effectiveness in governance with particular emphasis on public procurement, monitoring and evaluation for effective service delivery in three critical areas that include basic education, primary healthcare and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), said the state team leader.
Mrs. Ekele further explained that the activities of the intervention will also seek to strengthen government responsiveness to citizens through civil society engagement, by increasing government ability to respond to citizens needs and priorities.
Sharing further insights on how the USAID activity is being implemented in the state, the state team leader said, “our approach towards achieving set goals is participatory, strengthening governance systems and facilitating effective citizen engagement and participation.
“We have so far implemented many programmes under the project and with the commitment and support of His Excellency, Governor Bala Mohammed to the project, we are confident that we will achieve the set objectives of the project”.
Responding, the Finance Commissioner, Honorable Modibbo Abdulkadir Ahmed who welcomed the implementation of the project in Bauchi, assured of his Ministry’s support for its’ full implementation.
Read Also: NYSC charges corps members to respect cultures, norms of host communities
The Commissioner also told the team that the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed is committed to promoting good governance for the benefit of citizens of the state.
Honorable Modibbo said the administration had since introduced various public service reforms to improve fiscal discipline in public procurement, debt management and implementation of fiscal responsibility laws and practices be reflected in the state’s budget processes.
