Kebbi Gov't Reads Riot Act To Donor Intervention Projects

Kebbi Gov't Reads Riot Act To Donor Intervention Projects 

KEBBI STATE GOVERNMENT CENTRALIZED FOREIGN DONATIONS AND NGOs INTERVENTION UNDER THE OFFICE OF S.A INTERNATIONAL DONOR AGENCIES

Kebbi State Government said henceforth any foreign and local donations of any kind and other NGOs interventions must come through the office of the Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on International Donor Agencies.

The Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on International Donor Agencies, Hon. (Dr) Usman Buhari Ali-Gwandu has expressed concerns of the government of Kebbi state on serious project inefficiencies, financial mismanagement, and non-disclosure of vital information within the donor funded and supported interventions, be it grants, loans or credit. 

He says, "the current administration is making efforts to bring government institutions implementing several donor funded and supported interventions and development partners under one roof to strengthen their working relationships for the development of the state." 

The Special Adviser emphasized that as stewards entrusted with resources, it is imperative that we address these issues promptly and transparently to uphold the integrity of our interventions and maintain the trust of our donors.

With this development any donations through unknown third party will not be entertained in the State.

Alhaji Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor disclosed this in a statement issued to Journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

Idris quoted the Special Adviser as saying this during an emergency meeting in Birnin Kebbi, which was convened under the directives of His Excellency, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu), the Executive Governor of Kebbi State on Friday.

According to him, it is also to improve resource mobilization, allocation, harmonisation, and utilisation to avoid duplications and double or multi-dipping by beneficiaries. 

Buhari Ali-Gwandu said the office was also saddled with the responsibility of scrutinising and earmarking the spending approvals of various interventions and to facilitate adequate and timely provision and approvals of counterpart funding or government contributions for interventions.

He, however, said the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning remains the entry and exit points of all development partner, while government implementing institutions would continue to be overseen by their host ministries, adding that NGOs registration remains with the Ministries of Youth & Sports Development and that of Women Affairs. 

"Development partners are to note that the state government will soon roll out an aid policy cooperation and coordination framework document, this is to ensure commitments and provide clear guiding principles. Efforts are also underway to harmonize and streamline registrations of NGOs in the state.

"This effort of His Excellency Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu) is further expected to drive and promote partnerships, technical support, and investments in social, community, and human capital development and, more importantly, improving inclusive governance, especially at the community level.

"I am once again using this opportunity to thank all those working hard in supporting the development of Kebbi State, especially our development partners, implementating institutions, and NGOs whom are all working in different thematic areas across the state," he said. 

Buhari Ali-Gwandu listed some bottlenecks affecting project Inefficiency in the state to include; timely execution, communication breakdowns, resource optimization, financial mismanagement, expense documentation and cost overruns among others.

He also identified immediate actions to be taken by interventions to include; comprehensive financial review, revised project plan, enhanced communication protocol, Strategic risk management, memorandum of understanding (MoU) and aggrement instruments and financial expenditure.