SPECIAL REPORT:Adamawa State Government Identified Data gathering, Information Management, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation as Bedrock Policy ... Hon. Commissioner Water Resources

By Rabi Sule

Adamawa State Government has identified data gathering, information management, planning,  monitoring and evaluation as the bedrock policy for planning and budgeting for the Water Resources Sector. The Honorable Commissioner of Water Resources, Hon. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, made the disclosure during the presentation workshop of First Draft Water Resources Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, held at the City Green Hotel, Yola on August 3rd.

Honourable Abubakar stated that as it is widely held, inadequate and conflicting data for the water resources sector at the state and LGAs level has become a great concern in the sector despite efforts at strengthening planning and monitoring systems by both government and development partners. Hence, noted that this has consequences on programming and undermines efforts of tracking progress and providing sustainable services in the Water Resources sector.

However, he noted that the development of a robust system for programme monitoring and evaluation within the sector has remained one of their overarching issues in the implementation of reforms which seems urgently to be addressed.

He maintained that Adamawa State Government is committed to supporting the M&E department and units of each of the water resources sector agencies with adequate operational tools with a view to establishing an M&E database at each agency in order to use the data obtained therewith for planning and budgeting for the respective agencies.

The Commissioner bolstered that the current administration led by His Excellency, Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla (Bindow), has recognized the importance of timely data and information management for the water resources sector and is therefore focusing on policies and programmes that would ensure its availability in an affordable and sustainable manner. Stating that Adamawa State already has a Water Resources Policy that has been approved and the objective of the policy is to address the management, development and utilization of water resources for all competing uses. He added that it will facilitate adequate sanitation for all in an affordable and sustainable manner through the participatory investment by all stakeholders.

Honorable Abubakar reiterated their government commitment that they will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government, Donor Agencies, Civil Organizations and Private Sector to increase potable water supply access as well as sanitation with a view to achieve the key Sustainable Development Goals targets in the State. He bolstered that this is demonstrated by their government through the early payment of this year’s 100% State and LGAs counterpart contributions for the WSSSRP III Project.

Therefore, He congratulated the Members of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Monitoring and Evaluation of the water resources sector who are spearheading the processing of development of the framework and wished them successful deliberation and finalization of the monitoring and evaluation framework document for the water resources sector and its subsequently full implementation.

Earlier in his presentation, a Key Expert, WSSSRP III (Human Dynamics and Co), Adamawa State Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Andy Mondoka, said in keeping with the Federal Government of Nigeria Development Plan on National Water Resources Policy and Strategy (2016), Adamawa State like many other states has resolved to embrace the reform in the sector in order to provide an increased access to safe, adequate and sustainable water, sanitation and hygienic services to the people of the state.

Thus, noted that in line with this the State Development Blue Print Strategy Document (2016-2030) has focused on rehabilitation of Dams in addition to replacement of old and damaged water pipes to ensure improved water supply and sanitation to all communities. He stated that in achieving these aims and objectives, particularly for improve Water Resources Sector Services; the role of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is needed in the planning, budgeting and overall institutional development of the sector.

Therefore, he commended the State Planning Commission for carrying on the Monitoring and Evaluation in the state with inputs from other MDAs such as Ministries of Water Resources, Environment, Health; Bureau of Statistic, Public Procurement, external donor support groups and the WASH Units in the LGAs of the state. However, he lamented government bureaucracy and usurp duties by various MDAs as deterring their effort towards domesticating the National M&E in the state.