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SUBEB Permanent Commissioner 1, Alhaji Idris Ahmed with CITAD team in his office
By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) in the area of procurement in order to promote transparency and accountability.
The expression was made by a Senior Programme Manager of CITAD, Isa Garba when he led his team on advocacy to the Chairman of SUBEB and his management.
He said that CITAD has been working in the education sector of the state for a few years, some of the engagements included: Engaging some secondary schools in the state for the conduction of the state level inter-secondary schools ICTS Quiz and also at the national ICTs quiz where the then Government Technical College, Gadau won second position and government Arabic College, Jamaáre won the second position.
Also, Training of 14 staff of the Katagum Zonal Education Office on ICTs for administrative work; Training of 36 Secondary Schools teachers in basic ICTs Skills in Bauchi Zone; Piloting EFIKO project in 5 Secondary Schools in the state which is a project designed to make use of the mobile phone in accessing lessons, answering assignment questions while five schools in Bauchi were given Solar Charger Box each and 10 Android phones to each of the schools for the programme.
CITAD also Established Peace Clubs in some Secondary Schools in the state, Conducted research on the state of education in the state in 2015 which led to the declaration of state of emergency on the education sector of the state, Conducted Town hall and stakeholders meetings on state of education in the state to generate solution to the problems of the sector.
It was also aimed to stimulate active participation of the stakeholders so as to enhance Working with the adhoc committee established by the state government to study and make recommendation on how to revive the education standard as a follow up to ensure Engaging the state house of assembly to advocate for increase in budgetary allocation to the education sector.
Training of SBMC on the roles to play for effective service delivery and monitoring of schools in the state;Training of media on Participating in the activities of UNICEFeducational activities in state.
According to him, CITAD also Trained Directors and Deputy Directors of the Ministry on basic ICT skills about the State2State, The Nigeria State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity which supports strengthened governance structures in six states in Nigeria.
It is to improve their ability to plan and budget, raise revenues, increase civil society participation, and oversee service delivery in the health; education; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors.
The State2State works primarily at the state level, but also supports federal institutions and local government areas.State2State specifically recognizes the role of the state governors and commissioners in driving forward reforms in Nigeria, but, importantly, gives equal weight to the essential role that national fiscal and development policy, citizen demand, and local innovation, collaboration, and learning across and among states play in solving governance, financing, and service delivery challenges.
He said that, “Sir, we are here today to inform you that CITAD in granted by the United Sates Agency for International Development (USAID) through the “State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness” (“State2State”) to implement a governance project in Bauchi state”.
“The goal of the project is to strengthen citizens’ participation in governance through active participation in the budgetary and procurement processes of the state”, he added.
According to him, “While the objectives of the project are: Enhance the capacity of 40 CSOs to engage both government and citizens in the budget process as means of improving citizens’ participation in budget processes; Enhance the skills of 40 government officials on interface with citizens to collect, collate and use citizens input in budget process and Facilitate the monitoring of procurement processes in the focal areas of education, health, youth and women development”.
The program is also to enhance the capacity of the appropriation committee of the state house of assembly to be able to analyze budget (Appropriation bill)submitted by the executive arm.
He said that, “In the implementation process on this project, CITAD will be working with SUBEB as key area of our interest. Specifically our engagement in the SUBEB will focus on building the capacity of the procurement unit of the board and also on how citizens can actively participate in the development of the education sector of the state”.
It will especially engage the legislators in increasing the budgetary allocation to the sector, help the agency in monitoring projects using an Android Application that will be developed and utilize as an interface avenue between the communities, their representatives at the house of assembly and the board to ensure that contracts are executed base on the contract agreements and specifications , as at when due and follow up with the Ministry of finance and the house of assembly when there is delay in the release of funds and any other engagement that will promote effective service delivery of the sector. “Therefore, we are soliciting the support of your office to work with us in achieving the objectives of the project as well as contributing our quota in transforming the education sector of the state which is the major deliverables of the board”, he concluded.
In his response, Permanent Commissioner 1, Alh Idris Ahmed Hardawa said that the Board has in place a procurement office which is working in line with all procurement and financial regulations.
He said that, “Our books are always opened for you to go through and we are ready to work with you in achieving a transparent procurement atmosphere. We are partners with you in the development of the basic education sector”.
The Permanent Commissioner 1 added that, “everything we do here is opened and transparent in line with financial and procurement regulations, we ensure that due process is followed in procurement transactions”.
