By: Muhammad Bello.
Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to Gov. Tambuwal.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State has applauded the United States for its sustained interest in the development of the state over the years.
Gov. Tambuwal stated this when he received the management team of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/ Nigeria States Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness (State2State) program led by the program’s Deputy Chief of Party, Mr John Onyeukwu at Government House, Sokoto.
According to him, over the years the United States through USAID and the encouragement of the US embassy in Nigeria has extended support and recognition to Sokoto state government in many areas of development.
While appreciating the gestures of the US, the governor pledged that his administration will continue to cooperate with it, its agencies as well as partners in order to not only promote and improve transparency in government, but also enhance service efficiency and effective service delivery.
He also assured that the state government will immediately set up a steering committee as required by the State2State project work plan adding that he will direct the steering committee to come up with their state working plan and areas of collaboration and engagement.
Describing the State2State program as a ‘clearly important one’ aimed at improving efficiency in government and transparency in governance and governance processes, Gov. Tambuwal commended the initiative stating that it is the best way to engage and support states in coming up with strong development programs that will capture the actual needs of any given state.
In his remark the Deputy Chief of Party, Mr Onyekwu said the five year project is being implemented in six states of the country including Sokoto; and, will focus on increasing accountability, transparency and effectiveness of the selected states and local governments in Nigeria, particularly public finance management, education, primary healthcare and WASH.
Onyeukwu also said other objectives of the program are: to increase efficiency of the sub national government operations, improve sub-national citizentry needs and improve government capacity to mitigate conflict.
