The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has signed a one-year partnership with an international non-governmental organisation, Save the Children International, to monitor the Federal Government’s National Social Investment Programmes in the states as a third party.
The memorandum of understanding was signed on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 in Abuja.
On the occasion, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, explained that monitoring of the NSIP and other activities of the Mlministry would increase the citizens’ trust in the government and hasten the effectiveness of the NSIP to achieve President Buhari’s directive of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030.
She said: “The need to closely Monitor and Evaluate (M&E) these investments is an important component of the NSIP and its role in program implementation cannot be underrated.
“This is the primary reason why the ministry deliberately launched a strategy on M&E at many levels. At the local level, the ministry engaged the services of 7,500 Independent Monitors (IMs) spread across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. These 7,500 Independent Monitors are currently on the field, monitoring the implementation of the NSIP.
“Every month, over 250,000 unique programme reports are submitted by the Independent Monitors.
“To further foster accountability, transparency and effectiveness, through this M&E strategy, I directed the engagement of civil society organisations as an additional layer of close monitoring.
“Through this partnership, Save the Children International will engage the services of eighteen other civil society organisations (CSOs) to provide third party monitoring of NSIPs.
“These CSOs will provide independent reports on NSIPs in the states they deliver their support. Furthermore, they will provide additional capacity building to the Independent Monitors, as well as carry out spot checks in locations of the NSIP implementation.
“I am, therefore, delighted to officially endorse this partnership document to enable the onboarding of third-party civil society organisations as an additional layer of monitoring for the National Social Investment Programme.”
The minister appealed to the CSOs being engaged and other relevant stakeholders involved in the monitoring of NSIP to take the assignment patriotically as part of their contribution to nation-building.
In his remarks, the Country Director, Save the Children International, who was represented by the Director of Programme, Mr. Faton Krasniqi, expressed appreciation for the role and achievements of the ministry in advancing the wellbeing and development of Nigerians.
He said: “Global best practices in implementing social interventions describe a process for mainstreaming social accountability through a step by step process that builds on communications and awareness activities, empowering beneficiaries.
“It is believed that this will encourage transparency and accountability behaviour from service providers, as well as be a mechanism through which beneficiaries and their communities can gain confidence in their ability to effect positive change.
“An effective social accountability mechanism will help in improving service levels to the citizens, thereby ensuring that government gets a better return on investment.”
A press release issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, explained that Save Our Children International will finance hand-picked Independent Monitors and finance their training through the CSOs to enhance delivery.
She said: “They will also embark on validation visits to ensure quality assurance of CSOs and Independent Monitors and joint monitoring and evaluation visits with staff of the ministry periodically.”
