Kano Government Applauds EU, World Bank on SLOGOR Extension, Promises Commitment to Activities

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Kano State Government has applauded the European Union, EU, and the World Bank for the extension of the State and Local Governance Reform Project, SLOGOR, in the state till 2020.

This was contained in a statement issued by Mr Ajewole Ebenezer, the National Communication Officer, SLOGOR today, saying that the state promised its commitment to the activities of the project.

He said that the Head of Service in the state, Dr. Kabiru Shehu gave the commendation and the commitment today at the SLOGOR Implementation support mission organised by the World Bank in the state for the three Northern states in the SLOGOR project – Jigawa, Kano and Yobe.

He added that the state lauded EU and the World Bank for their efforts to enhance transparency and accountability in Government Business particularly these times of economic turmoil in the Nation specifically praising the World Bank’s commitment towards the achievement of the State Integrated Financial Management Information System, SIFMIS, which he noted that it has reached an advanced stage of completion in the state.

Kabiru said, “Kano state has indeed taken its course free from business as usual as we are heading to full e-governance, increase in revenue generation amongst others. These achievements were basically realised through your sustained support and contribution and have become very critical to the state in this regard”.

Kabiru further stated that as part of the Kano State Government’s effort towards achieving this milestone, “it has ensured that all the affected Activity Executing Agencies (AEAs) has been fully encouraged to put up their best towards the sustainability of the project.”

In his Remarks at the Support mission, the Task Team Leader of the Project, Mr. Ikechukwu Nweje stated that the mission was organised basically to review progress since the last mission in 2018, identify challenges and offer suggestions on how to address the challenges to ensure that the project objective is achieved.

Nweje while announcing the extension, encouraged states to concentrate on activities that they can complete before the closure of the project tasking the states to ensure judicious use of funds.

Nweje said, “over the course of the year, we will be bringing all the states together, but that will be determined by availability of funds. They will be a peer learning. It is just improving efficiency on what you are already doing. We will discuss components from components”.

He commended the three states- Jigawa, Kano and Yobe for the progress made so far especially in the area of Public financial Reform and also task them to do more.”

SLOGOR is a European Union funded and World Bank Managed Project. It is Project Development Objective is to improve transparency, accountability and quality in public finance management in the participating states of Anambra, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano Osun and Yobe states.