United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says the $72 million worth State2State project aims to strengthen subnational governance systems in six Nigerian states.

The State Accountability and Effectiveness project seeks to help to improve how Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Gombe and Sokoto states plan and budget, raise revenues, and increase civil society participation.

It is designed to also oversee service delivery in the health, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors.

Operations will begin in the aforementioned states and later expand to others, according to a statement from the agency.

According to economic analysts, corruption has given room for diversion of the limited public funds, undermined economic progress and impeded policy changes required for development in Nigeria.

The State2State, according to the statement, promises to increase accountability, transparency, and effectiveness while building on locally derived solutions, including expanding reforms that have proven effective in other parts of the country.

‘The scale and scope of the State2State activity is a potent symbol of the U.S. government’s commitment to partner with Nigeria to improve governance’, said U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard.

‘We have made this sizable commitment because we believe dramatic improvements sometimes require considerable resources’.

Also speaking, Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, acknowledged the importance of the initiative, adding that it will greatly benefit the people of the state.

‘There is no doubt that we need the support of development partners to improve and sustain the delivery of critical services’, he said.

‘State2State has come to Ebonyi at an important time, and I assure you that we will collaborate with this activity to ensure that it succeeds’.

The project, which will be implemented by DAI in partnership with some Nigerian organisations, will capture, document, and share best practices.

Source: U.S. Embassy

Photo source: USAID