By Ade Olu
International Budget Partnership, (IBP) has tasked partners implementing its health and agricultural projects in various states to look beyond addressing symptoms but the root causes of the problems.
IBP’s Strategy and Policy Lead, Onyekachi Chukwu, gave the charge during a two-day training on enhancing communication skills and driving systems change.
It was organized in Awka as part of the Strengthening Public Accountability for Results and Knowledge, (SPARK 2) campaign.
SPARK 2 partners, which focuses on agriculture and health sectors, is being implemented in Anambra State by Justice Development and Peace Caritas, (JDPC).
The Community Empower Network (COMEN) and Civil Rights Concern (CRC) are co-implementing the programme.
The Strategy and Policy Lead explained that the workshop is to deliver the new target of IBP in SPARK project to implementers across the states.
“Last month, IBP launched new strategy for Nigeria moving away from the conventional approach to PFM work.
“We are currently focusing on systems change. So, instead of solving the problems on the surface, we’re now trying to tackle the actual deep-rooted issues.
“Renovation of health facilities is great, but we need our partners to highlight other issues for government attention.
” After renovation of PHCs, for instance, do they have the necessary equipment? Are there adequate staff in there? What about their welfare?
“Is their Basic Health Care Provision Fund disbursement released on time? If not, what is delaying the release? If it is released for the quarter, what happens if it is delayed again?
Get down to root
“So, we want SPARK implementing partners to get down to the roots of PFM bottlenecks.
“By the time they unearth those underlying bottlenecks and fix them, from the roots, other issues on the top will automatically be fixed.
“That way, you’re institutionalizing the reforms, advocacies or policies so that they could live beyond any government or administration in the office.
The Strategy and Policy Lead charged the partners to look beyond their activities and reporting obligations, but to target achieving systems change, which outlives any government or SPARK 2 project circle.
