JACK.A.TASHA
The Executive Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has launched the Monitoring and Evaluation Policy to ensure transparency and accountability and good governance in the state.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Policy is designed to institutionalise framework to ensure that all government policies, strategies, programme and projects of the government are systematically assessed to avoid the occurrence of poorly implemented, abandoned or distressed programmes.
The launch was performed by the Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, Ph.D at the International Hotel, Gombe.
The deputy governor said the launch of the policy was a manifestation of the commitment if the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in enhancing the economic and human capital development of the state by ensuring evidence-based policy and strategy formation, validation in budget planning, resource allocation, good governance and accountability.
He remarked ” the Monitoring and Evaluation framework was developed in line with the Ten-year (202-2030) Development Agenda for Gombe State to track the plan’s implementation by tracking and monitoring progress and evaluating state commitments to ensure that strategies, policies, programmes and projects meet citizen’s expectations and benefits”.
Commenting on the enforcement of the Monitoring and Evaluation Policy, the Deputy Governor explained that the government is committed to adopting a strategy that focuses on result-based planning, managing results for continuous learning and demonstration of accountability for results through regular performance monitoring and reporting to the State Executive Council and the State House of Assembly.
He said” the policy will also engender transformation in communities and the state. In addition the citizens of the state will enjoy better quality service delivery that will increase their confidence in the future”.
In his remarks the Commissioner, Ministry of Budget and Planning, Alh. Salisu Baba Alkali said the launching of the policy marks a significant milestone in the state’s journey towards strengthening the monitoring and evaluation systems, focusing on outcomes and impact.
” The Monitoring and Evaluation Team from various MDAs led by the consultant and UNICEF team under the monitoring, evaluation and learning, Specialist Mr Stanley Garuba has been working tirelessly to develop effective and efficient systems to monitor and evaluate performance in terms of outcomes , aligning with our ten-year development plan”.
He extended his appreciation to their partners, saying, there expertise, commitment and dedication have been invaluable.
The Consultant, Prof. Nwokocha Ezebunwa of University of Ibadan gave the overview of the policy indicating that it was extensive, intentional, planned systematic and sequential which it involved many other ministries aimed at ensuring transparency, accountability and citizen ownership.
He called on the state government to ensure exhibiting a political will through release of funds and to give room for time to time appraisal of the policy in view of the changing trends to accommodate new changes.
Those who delivered their goodwill messages include Representatives of the UNICEF, Wayne Barcale( Chief of Planning, Monitoring and Reporting, UNICEF) and the Director, National Monitoring and Evaluation, Federal Ministry of Budget, and Economic Planning, Abuja, Mrs. Ayinde Yakubu who congratulated the state government for being the pilot state for the domestication of the policy in the country.
The Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Jalo Ibrahim Ali spoke on the journey so far on the domestication of the policy while the Special Adviser, Development Partner Coordination Office, Dr. Ishaku Babayo delivered the vote of thanks.
Those in attendance included the Head of Civil Service, Alh Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, and a host of other government functionaries.