Nigeria

Niger Delta Local Government Areas welcome UNDP’s baseline survey of public services in the region

A United Nations Development Programme sponsored baseline survey report of public services in the pilot Local Government Areas for the Niger Delta Local Development Programme has been reviewed. The report is based on a baseline survey conducted in 144 communities in Okitipupa and Ilaje LGAs of Ondo state and in 30 communities in Ogbia and Sagbama LGAs of Bayelsa State in March and April 2009.

Participants at the workshop

The report was presented to stakeholders for review, validation and suggestions on a way forward at a one-day stakeholders’ workshop held at the Royal Bird Hotel in Akure, Ondo State on Tuesday, September 29, 2009. Thirty one participants attended the workshop. They comprised of representatives of the Ondo State multilateral unit, the National Planning Commission (NPC), Ondo State Research and Statistics Unit, the Chairmen and Heads of Departments of Okitipupa and Ilaje Local Government Areas, Heads of Departments of Ogbia and Sagbama Local Government Areas, the Director of Service for Sagbama LGA, and other representatives of the LGAs.
The workshop opened with remarks by Ajayi Oluwumi, Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Ondo State on Intergovernmental Affairs and Multilateral Relations, Edward Mugabi, UNDP LDP Chief Technical Adviser, and Nicole Kouassi who represented the UNDP programme team and assisted with elucidate programmatic issues.
In his opening remark, Ajayi Oluwumi urged the participants to shun any sentimental attachment to the findings of the report, “but view the report as a solution to how to improve on what is on ground and seek ways on influencing stakeholders to improve services in the four LGAs and States.”
Edward Mugabi thanked partners for their collaboration and reiterated that through LDP UNDP is helping to strengthen local government structures. One of the ways to help local governments match service deliveries to people’s needs, as well as measuring progress is to conduct surveys. Mugabi further clarified that “this report is not an assessment of the performance of LGAs, but a synthesis of people’s perceptions and views on the delivery of public services, infrastructure, development priorities and social cohesion.”

Participants from Ogbia LG during their group discussion

The findings reflect the status of public services in communities and access to services such as primary schools, roads, primary healthcare facilities, markets, slaughter houses, portable drinking water, recreational facilities, and public rest rooms. Participants were also provided an opportunity to take part in LGA specific group discussions, deliberate on findings relating to their respective LGAs and recommend way forward.
The findings were well received and participants were appreciative of work done, data details and level of coverage. Participants also concurred that report should be used to inform planning, especially matching services to peoples needs, as well as measuring progress. Ondo State officials proposed that consideration be given to conducting surveys in all the State’s LGAs with UNDP assisting to build the capacity of State Statisticians and Planners to conduct similar surveys.
“This baseline survey findings presented today will help our LGAs to follow up on the needs of our people. And that is why I am pledging to renovate the dilapidated slaughter houses and meat markets in my LGA within two weeks,” remarked Dr. Dapo Iwala, the Chairman of Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The workshop ended with an agreement to finalize the report with incorporated inputs and comments and disseminated to all stakeholders.
The workshop was facilitated by Aimtonga Amani Makawia, UNDP LDP Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist while the survey findings were presented to the participants by Professor Uka Ezenwe and Dr. Sam Abiem, national consultants on the survey.