By Sani Yerima
The USAID Nigeria-State2State project in Adamawa State organised a two-day State Transformation Committee (TSC) Orientation and Quarterly Meeting in Taraba State.
The meeting took place at the Diamond Classic Hotel in Jalingo, the state capital, from September 27th to 28th, 2024.
The main objective of the meeting was to orient new and returning STC members on their functions, roles, and responsibilities for effective performance.
It also aimed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of members on State2State Activity, critical governance reform gaps in Adamawa state, and the role of STC in the ongoing governance reform efforts.
Furthermore, the meeting aimed to build collaboration among critical stakeholders for sustainable governance reforms in the state.
It also aimed to deliberate on issues and challenges related to the functioning of the STC and outline possible interventions to address them.
The meeting also aimed to agree on recommendations and action points for the effective and efficient functioning of the State Transformation Committee (TSC), as well as review and evaluate the Adamawa Sustainability Action Plan for adoption and implementation.
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In her welcome remarks, Adamawa State Team Lead, Suzanne Myada said the STC has played a pivotal role in driving Public Financial Management (PFM) and other governance reforms in the state.
She mentioned that the state through the Planning Commission constituted and inaugurated its first Committees Sector Planning Teams (SPTs), following the MTSS Consultations and Orientation conducted by S2S in March 2022 and the recommendations made.
Additionally, Suzanne Myada explained that among the key results that the program achieved in Adamawa state included organizing Step-down training by many MDAs for other officials who were unable to attend workshops following the TSC’s interventions among others.
Tayo Apasa, the S2S MEL Specialist spoke on Budget Planning, Administration and Execution, Budget Transparency, and Debt Management, as well as Procurement Reform.
Also, the S2S CE&CB Consultant, Emmanuel Bwala presentation focused on Auditing, Internal Controls, Domestic Resource Mobilization, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
Chabiyada Eli, the State2State GESI Coordinator spoke on Citizen Engagement and capacity building, as well as Communications, while the S2S LG Manager, Iheanyi Iheke presentation centered on Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI), as well as Conflict, among other presenters.
The STC consists of senior government officials and CSOs including People Living with Disability who possess extensive experience, knowledge, and competencies working in and with Adamawa State Government.
Some of the participants including the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri on Planning and Statistics, Hon. Abraham Murbuge, the Gender representative in the STC, Sarah Jackson, the Executive Director, ADPWD, Salamatu Abdullahi, and the Youth representative, Jimmy Lot all applauded the team of State2State and described the project as impactful to Adamawa communities.
Participants are expected to review and validate the Adamawa State Transformation Committee (TSC) Sustainability Action Plan for adoption and implementation.