By Blessing Bature
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development on Thursday enrolled the services of 7500 Independent Monitors to carry out programme monitoring in 36 states and the FCT.
The Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq stated during the flag-off workshop for Independent Monitors of the National Social Investment Programme yesterday, Abuja that the Independent Monitors will collect and submit routine data from 774 Local Government Areas.
Farouq informed that NSIP is the flagship poverty reduction programme of the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari comprising four programmes to address a variety of societal problems. These programmes include the Job Creation Programme –NPower; Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP); the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCT); and the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme.
She hinted that to ensure successful implementation and maximise the impact of the NSIP, the Ministry has developed a robust Monitoring and Evaluation system.
According to her, At the state level, the Ministry partnered with International Nongovernmental Organizations to serve as Third-Party Monitors for the NSIP. These CSOs provide an additional layer of monitoring for the programme. They also provide mentoring and capacity-building to the Independent Monitors in their assigned states. Additionally, they coordinate the institutionalization of regular performance reviews at the state.
“The third layer of monitoring is provided at the Federal level by the Ministry personnel through routine monitoring and supervision visits quarterly”.
“Today I am here to flag off a national “review & appreciation” workshop for Independent Monitors across the Country. These monitors have been with us for one to two years and have been a pivotal part of the program. As they conclude their engagement with us we want to use this opportunity to thank them for their services”.
“This workshop will provide them with an opportunity to look back at the last two years that they have worked with us and consolidate on capacity building and document lessons learned in the programme monitoring. The workshop also provides an opportunity to improve future programme design and implementation. I hereby ask you to be attentive and actively participate in the workshop and learn from the Resource Persons that are here to support you”.
Speaking with one of the Monitors, Samuel Princess Esther who was posted to Model primary school, Asokoro described the programme as a laudable one and monitoring the activities of the school feeding programme created for primary schools pupils is quite encouraging and should be sustained.
She said going to the rural areas where primary school is situated like Asokoro extension they have about 5 villages where the majority of school children trek to school “so coming to school knowing that they are going to be fed during break time encouraged their attendance and also help them to persevere because they see it as something to look forward to.
Also, Anyua Aondoakula Isaac who was posted to LEA Jahi 2, appreciated the Federal government for giving them the opportunity to serve, saying this has not only empowered him financially but has also added to his experience and prayed that the programme be sustained.