By Udeme Hosea

In its avowed commitment to  increase CSOs’ progress on the implementation of their action plans, by strengthening  governance systems in public finance management and core service delivery sectors,  the USAID Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State)  convened a coordination meeting (FY4 Q1) for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Akwa Ibom State to review the CSOs’ progress on implementation.

Across section of participants at the CSOs’ coordination meeting

The meeting, which reviewed Akwa Ibom State Strategic Education  Roadmap (AKSER), held at Rosmohr Gold Hotel, Uyo, on December 7, 2023, gave the CSOs’ the opportunity to report on their participation in the 2024 budget process through collation and submission of community charters of demands as well as have  discussion on engagement with the State House of Assembly on the inclusion of citizens’ priority needs.

In his opening remarks, the State Team Lead, USAID Nigeria (state2state), Mr. Borve Paago-Imabel, said the purpose of the state Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness Activity was to increase accountability and transparency on public financial management and service delivery in priority sectors of Basic Education, Primary Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the targeted states.

Participants

Paago-Imabel, who was represented by Dr Iboro Nelson, thanked USAID State2state partners for their commitment in ensuring accountability, transparency and effectiveness as top priorities in basic sectors.

She hinted that the objective of the coordination meeting was to review the state 2023 budget implementation and presentation of CSOs’ focal groups action plans for 2024.

Speaking on the CSOs’ progress in the implementation of their action plans and achievements for the last quarter, including review of Education Roadmap and advocacy action plans, the capacity building and citizens engagement specialist, Mrs. Munachiso Odulana, wondered why the state government is yet to implement the Education roadmap recommendations.

Participants at the CSOs’ coordination meeting

Also, a gender specialist, Ms  Ejiro Okotie, while speaking on the 2023 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, called on the CSOs’  to unite and fight against GBV in the society.                                                    As a step forward for Akwa Ibom State Education Roadmap, it was recommended that Civil Society Organizations  (CSOs’) should review initiatives of interest for individual take up and review if the AKSER recommendation align with the ARISE Agenda blueprint of the present administration.            

Across section of participants at the CSOs’ coordination meeting

 As part of their action plans for the next quarter, the CSOs’  advocated for the publication of the line items for capital budget released, clarification on projects in health, education and WASH,  continue advocacy for approvals, more engagement for the physically challenged  and advocacy for budget provision and release of funds for Gender Based Violence in the state and local government annual   budgets.